THOMAS] FESTIVALS HELD IN THE DIFFERENT MONTHS. 217 



In the last picture, which is on the upper left hand, is the Winter Solstice. 

 From the ear of the figure comes forth a snake or the evil genius; from its 

 mouth proceeds the sign for earthquake, likewise inclosed in the folds of a 

 great serpent; and in all the pictures there is the eagle, the next constella- 

 tion to Serpentarius." 



APPEZS^DIX NO. 3. 



Translation of Landaus description of the festivals held in the different months 



of the year} 



Note. — The order of the translation is in accordance with the months 

 of the Maya year, commencing with Po2) instead of with the l(Jth day 

 of Chen. The different months are here numbered by the letters of the 

 alphabet. 



COMMENCEMENT OF THE MAYA YEAR FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH POP. 



A. — The first day of jfo^) commenced the first month of these Indians; 

 it was the first day of their new year and of a very solemn feast with them; 

 for it was general, all took part in it and all the people assembled to feast 

 in honor of their gods. In order to celebrate it with greater ostentation, 

 they renewed on this day the articles which they made use of, such as 

 dishes, cups, pedestals, baskets, old cloths, and stuffs with which they cov- 

 ered their idols. They swept their houses and threw all the dirt and old 

 ntensils into the highway without the place, and nobody, had they the 

 greatest need of it, dared to touch it. In order to prepare themselves for 

 this feast, the princes and priests, also the nobility, connnenced to fast and 

 previonsly to abstain from their wives; this included also those who wished 

 to show their devotion, and they gave to it all the time they thought proper; 

 there were some who fasted three montlis in advance, others two, and others, 

 according to their fancy, as long as it pleased them, but never less than 

 thirteen days. 



To these thirteen days of abstinence from their wives, they added that 



iReliicion, pp. 240-310. 



