tecciztli (FCbk11f64r)

Conch shells were important in both the mundane and ritual life of the Nahuas. They were cut to display their spiraled interiors and worn as pectorals, among other things, associated with the supernatural force known as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl (wind-feathered serpent) (see other tecciztli entries in this Visual Lexicon). Book 11 of the Florentine Codex describes the living conch shell in the parallel Spanish text as something to eat. In the Nahuatl text, its "flesh is like a small snake; it has horns like something large…. Its shell is a white bone—very white; smooth—very smooth; spiral—spiral within…. What we speak of as at the lips of the snail shell is at its tail. What we say has become its tail has become its mouth. From there it comes out; there it enters. As it enters, it only retreats.” The tecciztli was also used as a trumpet, described as being “white…. It is spiraled, marvelous. It is that which can be blown, which resounds.” (Quotes from Anderson and Dibble, 60, 230.). There are many references to the use of conch shell trumpets in ritual settings found the Florentine Codex, Book 2, The Ceremonies. During the "second month, which was called Tlacaxipeualiztli," the reader is told "the trumpets were sounded, conch shells, large sea shells, were blown, men put their fingers in their mouths and whistled, and there was singing. With singing and songs and blowing of trumpets they arrived. The Cozcateca placed themselves in order, their shoulders decked with feather banners, and they encircled the offering stone." In the festival of the “sixth month, which was called Etzalqualiztli,” “all went to be bathed. They went sounding trumpets (tecciztli); they went blowing shell trumpets; they beat copper discs with pine [hammers]]” (Quotes from Anderson and Dibble (1951) 46, 50, 74, 77).