Page:A Study of the Manuscript Troano.djvu/285

] 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 constellation to Serpentarius."

—The order of the translation is in accordance with the months of the Maya year, commencing with Pop instead of with the 10th day of Chen. The different months are here numbered by the letters of the alphabet.

A.—The first day of Pop 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 covered their idols. They swept their houses and threw all the dirt and old utensils 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, commenced to fast and previously 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 months 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