tzotzopaztli (T2998:3)

tzotzopaztli (T2998:3)
Iconography

Glyph or Iconographic Image Description: 

This iconographic example, featuring a weaving batten (tzotzopaztli) is included in this digital collection for the purpose of making comparisons with possibly related hieroglyphs. This example shows a frontal view of a woman holding a weapon that is an undulating serpent with a rattler tail, so probably a rattlesnake. The gloss says it is a weaving batten. The woman is pointing with her left hand, arm raised. The contextualizing image shows this woman is standing up with a group of men who hold wooden weapons with embedded obsidian blades, in what appears to be a conflict.

Description, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Added Analysis: 

Weaving battens do appear to have been used as weapons by women in pre-contact times according to studies in Mexico Desconocido and one published by INAH on Facebook. They also had roles in rituals. See another iconographic example below.

Added Analysis, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Gloss Image: 
Gloss Diplomatic Transcription: 

tzutzupastli

Gloss Normalization: 

tzotzopaztli

Gloss Analysis, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Source Manuscript: 
AGN Tierras 2998, exp. 3
Date of Manuscript: 

1590

Creator's Location (and place coverage): 

Otumba, Mexico

Syntax: 
noun(s)
Cultural Content & Iconography: 
Animals: Reptiles
Gender (female)
Gender (male)
Gestures with hands
Textiles, Clothing, Hats, Regalia
War or Conflict
Weapons, Shields, Armor
Wood, wooden things
Cultural Content, Credit: 

Jeff Haskett-Wood

Colors: 
black & white drawing (no color)
Shapes and Perspectives: 
curving, curvy, curved
frontal view
Keywords: 

arma, listón, listones, implemento para tejer, herramienta de tejido, mapilhuia, mahpilhuia, crótalos, ondulante

Glyph or Iconographic Image: 
Relevant Nahuatl Dictionary Word(s): 

tzotzopaz(tli), a weaving batten, https://nahuatl.wired-humanities.org/content/tzotzopaztli
mapilhuia, to point a finger, https://nahuatl.wired-humanities.org/content/mapilhuia

Glyph/Icon Name, Spanish Translation: 

el palo de telar, or el machete tejedor

Spanish Translation, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Image Source: 

Archivo General de la Nación, México, Ramo de Tierras Vol. 2998, Exp. 3.

Image Source, Rights: 

The Archivo General de la Nación (AGN), México, holds the original manuscript. This image is published here under a Creative Commons license, asking that you cite the AGN and this Visual Lexicon of Aztec Hieroglyphs.

Historical Contextualizing Image: