STMBOL.S OF THE CARDINAL POINTS. 



We are now prepared to enter upon the discussion of the symbols of 

 the cardinal points, of which figures have already been given in connec- 

 tion with the quotations from Eosny's work (Fig. 1), hut as I shall have 

 occasion to refer to them very frequently I again present them in Fig. 7. 



■» e 



Fig. 1.— Symbols of the cardinal points. 



As it is conceded by all who have discussed this subject, that a and 

 c must be assigned to the east and west or equatorial points, the only 

 dispute being as to winch should be referred to the east and which to 

 the west, it follows that the others must be referred to the polar prints. 

 As each one of the four areas or compartments contains one of these sym- 

 bols—the top or upper compartment a, the left-hand b, the bottom c, 

 and the right-hand d— we naturally infer that the other figures in these 

 compartments have some reference to the cardinal points with which 

 they are respectively associated. 



I think that Rosny is correct in assuming that this plate places these 

 symbols in their proper positions, and hence that if we can determine 

 one with satisfactory certainty this will determine the rest. If their 

 correct positions are given anywhere it would seem that it would be 

 here, in what is evidently a general calendar table or possibly a calendar 

 wheel. 



I have already discussed the question of the assignment of the cardi- 

 nal symbols to some extent in my former work, I4 and will take for granted 

 that the reader is familiar with what is there stated. 



That one of the two characters a and c (Fig. 7), denotes the east or 

 sunrise and the other west or sunset, may, I think, be safely assumed 

 from what is given in the work mentioned, and from the evidence pre- 



37 



" Study Manuscript Troano, pp. 69-74. 



