CMGG entry for taaj      (This article is part of the Learner's Maya Glyph Guide and Concordance.)

Translation: obsidian
Part of speech: Noun

Logogram spellings of taaj

                                                                                     

MHD.1M7.1&2                       MHD (Van Stone)                                       MHD (Gomez)                         MHD (Graham)

                                                  Stela F B4                                                     JOY Bone Ap3                          YAX Lintel 25 G2

TAAJ                                          <<<K’IN:ni>.li>:<ka:me>>.TAAJ               TAAJ.<K’UH:NAL>                   <WIIN:TE’:NAAH>.<wi?/TAAJ?>

 

·     This is quite a rare logogram – a search in MHD on “blcodes contains 1M7” returns only 4 hits, 3 of which are given as examples above (plus the Catalog entry itself makes 4). Even though it’s not a common logogram, the iconographic origin seems clear enough – an obsidian blade with a “darkness” property marker (as obsidian is a jet-black, shiny stone). Does the “hook” at the end represent a handle or a curved point to pierce things with?

·     I haven’t been able to find a Bonn equivalent.

·     I’m a bit unsure of the transliteration of YAX Lintel 25 G2: TAAJ?-wi-WIIN-TE’-NAAH, as given by MHD:

o The glyph on the far right is apparently thought to be TAAJ = “obsidian”.

o This makes sense, as there is a jagged edge of the blade clearly visible.

o But then, there shouldn’t be a wi transliterated as well. Or vice versa: if there is a syllabogram wi initial phonetic complement present, then there is no logogram TAAJ present. Furthermore, I’m not familiar with TAAJ = “obsidian” being associated with this toponym.

 

Syllabogram spellings of taaj

JM.p224.#5

CPN Stela 11 A3

ta:ji

 

·     Beliaev&Houston-ASSIMW.p3: obsidian, taaj, cuts flesh in acts of sacrifice.

·     Do not confuse this with the phonetically similar taj = “torch”.

·     EB.p161.pdfp166.#3: taj (2) n. “obsidian”:

o EB never indicates long vowels, but the reference to CPN Stela 11 A3 gives taaj according to the Wichmann-Lacadena rules.

o EB also has a reference to K4655, but this K-number doesn’t seem to be associated with a Maya vase.