

DAY GROUPS IN THE MEXICAN CODICES. 



25 



by the figure of the sun. Each of these serpents, as I have hereto- 

 fore intimated, 9 probably denotes one of the four-year series of the 

 cycle of fifty-two years, just as in the Maya cycle we would say "the 

 Cauac series," "Kan series," etc. 1 " The thirteen years of each series 

 is denoted by the small circles on the serpents. The four large figures 

 are, as we shall hereafter see, fanciful representations of certain ideas 

 held by this people in regard to the four cardinal points, each probably 

 with its significant color as understood by the artist, and each probably 

 indicating one of the four year bearers. 



But at present our attention is directed to something else to be found 

 ou this plate. In each of the four spaces aud around each of the large 

 figures we observe five Mexican day symbols connected usually with the 

 main figure by heavy- waved colored lines. What is the signification 

 of these day symbols in this connection f Precisely the same, 1 believe, 

 as those in the four sides of the quadrilateral in the Codex Cortesiauus. 

 But first I would remark that the waved, colored, connecting lines have 

 no other signification than to denote the parts of the body to which the 

 days are here severally assigned; hence, as they have no bearing ou the 

 questions now under discussiou, I shall have no occasion to take any 

 further notice of them. 



If we arrange the Mexican days in four columns as we did the Maya,, 

 that is, placing the first name in the first column, the second in the sec- 

 ond column, aud so on, following the usual orthography and the order 

 j;iven, the groups will be as follows : 



Or, to give them their English equivalents as we usually find them, as- 



follows: 



Table XII. 



'Study Manuscript Troano, p. 86. 



10 Possibly each serpent represents one indication of thirteen years, but the proper 

 answer to this question is not important in the present investigation. 



