·     This is quite a rare logogram – a search in MHD on “blcodes contains ZRQ” returns only 2 hits, 1 of which (from the 'Brussels' Jade Ear Ornament) is given as an example above (plus the MHD Catalog (MHD.ZRQ) and Bonn (1951st) examples makes 3). Even though it’s not a common logogram, the iconographic origin seems clear enough – the earspool is the element on the left. (Is the scroll with protector in the top right a stylized ear?).

·     EB.p172.pdfp177.#2: tup n. earflare (EB never writes long vowels).

·     The full syllabogram-only spelling tu-pa is slightly more common – a search in MHD on “bllogosyll contains tu pa” and “blmaya1 contains tuup” (optionally, and “blengl contains ear ornament”) gives 9 hits:

o 5 from PAL (PAL Temple of the Inscriptions).

o 1 from CLK.

o 1 from TIK.

o 2 from elsewhere.

 

·     JM gives the pronunciation as short tup (but JM never indicates long vowels anyway).

·     According to the Wichmann-Lacadena rules tuup should be written tu-pi, so it is unclear why this is usually given as tuup. This is perhaps from linguistic reconstruction, based on the modern Mayan languages.