Aztec Drawings
Aztec drawings served as a form of written communication. Instead of an alphabet, Aztec writing relied on a combination of logograms (symbols representing entire words or concepts) and phonetic elements (syllabic signs).
This system enabled the recording of historical events, religious rituals, and daily life.
Aztec Codices
One of the primary sources of Aztec art and writing is the codex, an illustrated manuscript made from paper or deerskin. Aztec codices documented a wide range of subjects, including history, religion, and social practices.
Some Aztec codices were created before the Spanish conquest, while others were compiled after the arrival of the Spanish, often with the addition of Spanish or Latin script alongside the Nahuatl language.
Many Aztec codices were destroyed during the Spanish conquest.
Aztec Numerals and Counting System
The Aztec numerical system was vigesimal, meaning it was based on the number 20. Numbers were represented using simple symbols, such as dots for 1, flags for 20, feathers for 400, and bags of incense for 8,000.
To represent larger numbers, these symbols could be combined, and a line was drawn to group related symbols together. For example, the number 500 could be represented by one feather (400) and five flags (100).
The Aztec calendar system included a 20-day cycle as part of its structure. The calendar was based on two main calendars: the 260-day Tonalpohualli (a ritual calendar) and the 365-day Xiuhpohualli (a solar calendar).
A ritual calendar was divided into 20 periods x 13 days, while a solar calendar consisted of 18 months x 20 days, and an extra 5 “nameless” days. These overlapping cycles required the use of larger numbers to represent longer periods.
The Aztec calendar system had a 20-day cycle in some months. The calendar included multiple cycles, such as the 260-day Tonalpohualli and the 365-day Xiuhpohualli, which required larger numbers to represent longer periods.
Logograms in Aztec Writing
Logograms were frequently used in Aztec writing to represent entire words or ideas. These symbols were often used in codices to document historical events, places, and people.
The image depicts the conquest of Colhuacan and Tenayucan, with their inhabitants taken prisoner. A pyramid with a destroyed top and rising smoke symbolizes the cities’ fall, while an Aztec warrior captures a defeated soldier.
Representing Names and Places
Aztec drawings also employed pictorial logograms to represent names and places. The Aztec language used compound words formed by combining root words and affixes, and drawings were used to represent these compounds.
Chilapan means “above the river of Chiles” and was represented by 2 glyphs:
- “Chile” (a red chili pepper)
- “Apan” (a river)
The phrase “place of five flowers” was also represented by 2 glyphs:
- “five” (five dots)
- “flower” (xochitl)
The suffix indicating “place” was often omitted as it was implied.
Rebus Writing
The Aztec writing system also included the use of rebus writing, which allowed the phonetic values of symbols to represent sounds rather than their meanings. This was particularly useful when it became difficult to visually depict a concept.
- The word “coatzinco” (“place of little snakes”) was represented by the logograms for “koa” (snake) and “tzin” (buttocks).
- The word “tzin” was used not for its literal meaning but for its phonetic similarity to the suffix “-tzin,” which means “little”.
This is an example of how the Aztecs adapted their drawing system to represent complex or abstract concepts.
Warrior and Battle Drawings
Aztec drawings also often depicted warriors and military activities. Many codices feature illustrations of Aztec warriors, each identified by their distinctive costumes, such as the Eagle Warriors and the Jaguar Warriors.
The costumes were more than mere attire—they represented the warrior’s rank and group.
The more elaborate the costume, the higher the warrior’s status within the military hierarchy. Additionally, these drawings provided details about the warriors’ gear and weapons, which were crucial to understanding their role in the Aztec society.
Religious Drawings
Religion played a central role in Aztec life, and this was reflected in their artwork.
Aztec codices feature numerous depictions of religious ceremonies, festivals, and rituals. Priests are often shown performing rituals in elaborate costumes, symbolizing the gods they worshipped.
These drawings also frequently depict Aztec gods, often represented as animals, reflecting the close relationship between specific gods and the natural world. Serpents, jaguars, and eagles were often associated with specific deities and powers.
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The Aztec writing system was an intricate and effective way of preserving and transmitting knowledge. The Aztecs were able to document everything from historical events and military conquests to religious practices and social life.
Aztec codices with illustrations and symbols provide valuable insights into the past. While their writing system was complex, it effectively met the needs of the Aztecs and ensured the continuity of their cultural and historical legacy.
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