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MALLERY. | COLOMBIAN SYMBOLS. 615 
entwined rattlesnakes. The hair is of medium length and descends in tresses to the 
shoulders and breast. The ear is ornamented with circular disks inclosing smaller 
ones. Around the neck is a broad necklace of irregularly-shaped stones of extra- 
ordinary size. Below the necklace the breast is covered with a kind of scarf or tex- 
tile fabric, the upper ends of which are fastened by buttons. To the center of this 
scarf seems to be attached a globe, the upper part of which is adorned by a knotted 
band from which four others ascend. From the lower part of the globe descends 
another band, with incisions characteristic of Mexican sculpture, while its sides are 
adorned by wreaths like wings. The wrists of both hands are covered with strings 
of large stones perforated in the center. From the semicircular bands emanate two 
of the twining staves; to the staves are attached knots, leaves, flowers, and various 
other emblems of a mythical character. The most conspicuous of these is the repre- 
sentation of a human face in a circle resembling the ordinary pictures of the full 
moon. The two central staves, originating from the neck, pass downward, and are 
differently ornamented. The fact that the head and partof the breast are surrounded 
by a circle, and that the image of the moon forms one of its ornaments, induces us 
to believe that this is the figure of the moon goddess. In the lower part of the 
sculpture appears, again, an individual imploring the deity with face upturned and 
elevated hand. The supplication is indicated bya curved staff knotted on the sides, 
Excepting a circular disk attached to the hair, the head is without ornament; the 
long hair hangs down to the breast and back, ending in a complicated ornament 
extending below the knees. In the lobe of the ear is a small ring from which a larger 
one depends. The breast is adorned with a globe similar to that on the breast of 
the goddess, only it is smaller. Around the wrist of the right hand is a plain eutff, 
while the left hand is covered by a skull; a stiff girdle, with a boar’s head orna- 
menting its back part, surrounds the waist. This girdle differs from the previous 
ones by being ornamented.with circular depressions. From the front of the girdle 
descend two twisted cords surrounding the thigh, and a band tied in bow and ends. 
Below the right knee is a kind of garter with a pear-shaped pendant. The left foot, 
with the exception of the toes, is inclosed in a sort of shoe. 
In front of the adorer is a small altar, the cover of which has incisions similar to 
those in the pendant of the globe on the breast of the deity. On the altar isa human 
head, from the mouth of which issues a curved staff, while other staves in the shape 
of arrows appear on the side of the head. 
Fig. 980 is reproduced by permission from Lieut. H. R. Lemly (a), 
U.S. Army, who calls it a “stone calendar.” It is the work of the 
Chibcha Indians of the United States of Colombia, and its several 
parts, some of which are to be compared with similar designs in other 
regions, are explained as follows: 
a, Ata, asmall frog in the act of leaping. This animal was the base of thesystem, and 
in this attitude denoted the abundance of water. b, Bosa, a rectangular figure with 
various divisions, imitating cultivated fields. c, Mica, a bicephalous figure, with the 
eyes distended, as if to examine minutely. It signified the selection and planting of 
seed. d, Muihica, similar to the preceding, but with the eyes almost closed. It rep- 
resented the dark and tempestuous epoch in which, favored by the rain, the seed 
began to sprout. e, Hisca, resembling ¢ and d of the stone, but larger, with no divi- 
sion between the heads. It was the symbol of the conjunction of the sun and moon, 
which the Chibchas considered the nuptials or actual union of these celestial spouses— 
one of the cardinal dogmas of their creed. f, Ta, almost identical with b. It repre- 
sented the harvest month. g, Cuhupcua, an earless human head upon one of the 
lateral faces of the stone. It was the symbol of the useless or so-called deaf month 
of the Chibchan year. h, Suhuza, perhaps a tadpole, and probably referred to the 
generation of these animals. i, Aca, a figure of a frog, larger than a, but in a simi- 
lar posture. It announced the approach of the rainy season. j, Ulchihica, two 
united rhomboids—a fruit or seed, and perhaps an ear. It referred to their invitations 
