Page:A Study of the Manuscript Troano.djvu/274

206 the more important towns, having joined together, they passed into the temple of Citchaccoh," &c. If we interpret this character Pacumchac, we at once find a satisfactory explanation of the repeated occurrence of the symbol for Pax in the inscription. From Landa's description, which is somewhat confused, I judge this was one of their chief festivals, but nothing appears in his statement that accords with the scene on the middle slab. This, however, cannot be properly urged as an objection to my rendering; first, because there were doubtless many formalities which he does not mention; second, because the ceremonies of this festival as practiced at Palenque may have been quite different from those observed by Landa; third, there are some reasons for believing, even from Landa's words, that during this festival petitions for rain and abundant crops were offered. I presume also that during this festival took place the rejoicing over the first fruits of the maize harvest. I may as well state here as elsewhere that I do not think the offering made by the priest on the right is an infant; the probability is that it is a dough image. Although we see what appear to be the body and limbs, we have to assume that the head wears a mask to believe it to be the body of a child. If it is the figure of a child, then the scene represents a special occasion when the sacrifice was made to avert some impending danger. The difference in the height of the two priests favor the idea that the artist referred by his figures to particular persons, if not to a special occasion. Finally, it is possible that although the inscription relates chiefly to this festival others are also alluded to. But be this as it may, I have reached my conclusion as to the rendering by legitimate steps.

The second compound character in the column is composed of three parts, the two to the right, which are alike, resembling, in some respects, the symbol of Imix, and in others, if the marks can be trusted, the hieroglyph of Cauac and cu. We find almost precisely the same combination in the right-hand (second) column, Plate XX of the Manuscript, except that the two similar parts are above the face. The face in this case is almost exactly like that I have interpreted Xamin, "north." What is also a little significant, we find immediately below it the Pax or stone symbol just as we do here.