Tzompanhuacan (Mdz35r)

This compound sign for the place name Tzompanhuacan has multiple elements. There is an architectural base, upon which stands a wooden, orange-colored skull rack (tzompantli) with one skull on the rack, perforated through the mouth and to the back of the skull with a horizontal plank. The skull is outlined in black and largely without coloring, except for the red eyelid. The eye is open, with the pupil visible. Coming out of the top of the skull (tzontli) is a flagpole with one gray-purple flag flying toward the left. The flag seems to serve as a reiteration of the "pa" element in the place name, deriving from (panitl). The -hua- element of possession does not seem to be represented visually, unless the platform silently holds or possesses the skull rack. Given that this is a place name, perhaps the possession is that of the town's, suggesting the town has a notable skull rack.