Page:A Study of the Manuscript Troano.djvu/166

100 Plate XIV—the middle and lower divisions of which are reproduced in Fig. 116—I take to be a ritual relating to the hunters' festivals. In the upper division we see two persons dressed as Chacs, and bearing the emblems of the festival to the temple or appointed place. The middle and lower divisions contain entire transverse lines of the same character repeated. If we take them in columns, instead of transversely, we will find that they differ from each other only in the top and bottom characters and the numerals. As an example, I refer to the third column from the left of the middle division (omitting from the count the usual day column at the left). The character at the top is the one already interpreted as signifying "the east"; three of the other columns have each one of the cardinal points, the rest of the characters being the same in each column and in the same order except the numeral and the character below it. The same is true in reference to tho lower division. As these appear to designate mere repetitions, either of actions or words, varied slightly as to direction or number, I conclude that, taken together, they form a ritual for the ceremonies that relate to the chase.

Plates XV-XIX appear to represent tokens of hunting scenes and the ceremonies of the hunters' festival In the upper division of XVII, XVIII, and XIX we see the hunters returning from the chase, some bearing their game, others their weapons, and others flowers in token of success.

On Plates XV and XVII we see some of the game left behind for the vultures, which are devouring it. The middle division of XVI and XVII relate to the same subject; the left figure in the latter is represented as being bitten by a rattlesnake, one of the dangers to which they are subject while pursuing their calling. The figures at the right of the upper division of the same plate represent a master punishing his slave or follower; the difference in the belt anklets and dress showing the difference in condition.

It is more than probable that these figures are to a certain extent cabalistic and also that it is a part of the ceremonies of the festival to represent these incidents of the hunter's profession.

The large figure in the middle division of Plate XV I presume represents an idol, made for the occasion, in the form of a deer. If so, we see here a strong indication of phallic worship.