THE GOD “D” IN THE CODEX CORTESIANUS*

Abstract

In his most valuable contribution to the study of Mayan codices Dr. Schellhas ('86, passimt) has suggested a nomenclature for their pictures of gods most advantageous in the study of their symbolism and worthy the recognition given it by the foremost students of Mayan pictography. He proposed to designate the figures of deities in these aboriginal "books" by the letters A, B, C, D, etc. Following that nomenclature, the pictographs considered in this article are those referred to D, taken from that fragment of the Codex Tro-Cortesianus called the Cortez codex. The resemblance of D to B and G has led me to discuss all three together, although G does not occur in Codex Cortesianus, as I regard them all related gods. I shall preface what I have to say of D with a brief reference to B, which I have already considered elsewhere ('94). B-Long-nose God. This god, identified by Schellhas as Kukulcan, by Brinton as Itzamni, has snake and rain attributes, as already pointed out, and is associated with symbols of all four cardinal points. It is a beneficent deity, and is never represented as hostile or as a captive. He frequently occurs engaged in planting, and in some instances bears one or more torches, suggesting a god of light, as the sun. The symbolism of his mask or ceremonial helmet I have already pointed out, and need not be repeated. As, however , one of the marked peculiarities of B in Cod. Cort., which