Xicotencatl (LTlaxUT1a)

This iconographic example is included here for possible comparisons with Nahuatl hieroglyphs. It is a portrait of Xicotencatl II, a ruler of Tlaxcallan. This is a detail with a focus on his historic first meeting with Hernando Cortés, the leader of the Spanish invasion of Mexico of 1519, when they were about to become allies against the Mexica. Xicotencatl originally fought against the Spaniards, but then was convinced to join them. He wears a greenish loincloth, sandals with red trim, and a cape tied below his neck. The cape has red ties placed randomly over the cape. On his head is a twisted red and white headband into which are stuck two white (probably aztatl) feathers and a down ball. Xicotencatl has long hair that is tied into a ponytail at the back of his neck. As the contextualizing image shows, he reaches out to Cortés with his right hand. Cortés grasps that wrist. Xicotencatl’s left wrist, hanging loosely at his side, is adorned with a bracelet of precious beads, probably green stone (chalchihuitl) or turquoise (xihuitl).