Animal Figures in the Maya Codices | Page 8

1) are glyphs representing the
same species, but as in fig. 4, the spire is omitted, though the knobs are
present. Round spots of color are evidently intended by the markings
on the shells shown in figs. 3, 5, 6 (Pl. 1). Fig. 5, shows a further
modification of the spire, which here is made like the head of a serpent.
The Mollusca in the codices are not always associated with the water
although this is usually the case. God N (Pl. 1, fig. 1) sitting with the
shell around his body is represented as in the rain and the shells in Pl. 1,
figs. 4, 6, appear under water. The snail (Maya, [vs]ot) is considered by
the Nahuas as the symbol of birth and death. The first idea is well
brought out in Pl. 1, fig. 2, where the human figure is emerging from a
shell. The same idea among the Mayas is seen in Pl. 1, fig. 1, where
god N is coming from a shell. As god N is usually associated with the
end of the year, we may have here the complementary idea of death
associated with the shell. The same meaning is brought out in the
Bologna Codex (Pl. 1, fig. 3) where the shell is decorated with flint

points, the symbol of death. As the tortoise is often identified with the
summer solstice, as previously pointed out, so the snail is associated
with the winter solstice.
Förstemann's identification of the head-dress of god D (Dresden 5c),
god A (Dresden 9c, 13a), and god E (Dresden 11c) as representing
snails is not clear. Stempell (1908, p. 739) also follows the same course
thinking that the knob-like prominences represent the stalked eyes of
snails. This seems quite unlikely as such representations are usually
short and occur in too widely dissimilar connections. Moreover, there
are sometimes three of these instead of but a single pair (Dresden 14a).
A similar attempt has been made by Brinton to identify the head-dress
of the death god (god A) as the snail. The head-dress in Dresden 13a
and 13b associated with god A looks far more like the head and upper
jaw of some mammal.
OLIVA. A univalve shell frequently represented is of an oval shape,
pointed at each end, with a longitudinal lip and a short spire at one
extremity. This is doubtless a species of Oliva, a marine shell. Mr.
Charles W. Johnson informs us that O. reticulata is the species
occurring on the Yucatan shores, while O. splendidula is found in other
parts of the Gulf of Mexico. Representations of this shell are shown in
Pl. 1, figs. 10-12. In figs. 10, 11, the lip and spire are apparent but in fig.
12 the lip only is seen as a white fissure against the general dark
background. An earthenware vessel representing a tapir (Pl. 28, fig. 1)
shows a string of Oliva shells about the animal's neck and similar
strings very often decorate the belts worn by the personages
represented on the stelae of Copan.
The shell in the codices is found in most cases to represent zero in the
Maya numerical calculations. Just as a bar has the meaning five, and a
dot one, so the shell often has the signification of zero. This is seen
especially in the numeration by position in the codices (Pl. 1, figs. 7, 8,
10-14).
OTHER MOLLUSCA. In addition to the species just described at least
two or three others occur in the Nuttall Codex, but so conventionalized
that it is out of the question to hazard a guess at their identity. One (Pl.

1, figs. 16, 17) is a bivalve with long pointed shell, another (Pl. 1, figs.
18-20) is rounder with conventionalized scroll-like markings. Figs. 21,
22 (Pl. 1) may be a side view of the closed bivalve shown in figs. 16,
17, or possibly a species of cowry. In like manner, fig. 13 is probably a
side view of the mollusc shown in fig. 14, for it is seen that in each case
the figure showing the two opened valves has a bipartite extended foot,
whereas that of the single valve is simple. This doubling of the single
median foot of the bivalve may be an artistic necessity for the sake of
balance, or perhaps represents both foot and siphon at the same end.
Figs. 23, 24 (Pl. 1) seem to represent molluscs still further reduced and
conventionalized. These molluscs from the Nuttall Codex (Pl. 1, figs.
15-24) are almost all found represented in the blue water, whereas
those which stand for zero in the Maya codices have no immediate
association with either water or rain.
INSECTA
THE HONEY BEE (Melipona). A portion of the Tro-Cortesianus
appears to treat of apiculture, as previously noted, or, at all events,
contains numerous