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

Translation: eagle?
Part of speech: Noun

Logogram spellings of tz'ikin

                                                                 

K&L.p17.#1 = KuppratApp                                                              TOK.p27.r1.c1                    MHD.SM3                     1320st

TZ’IKIN                                                                                                TZ’IKIIN                               TZ'IKIN?                         -

 

Greene / “T1320”

PAL Tablet of the 96 Glyphs J8

IX.<TZ'IKIN:<XAAK/SAAK>>

 

·       No glyphs given in K&H and BMM9, except for speculation that is might be the glyph in the Tzolk’in day-name MEN (K&H.p57.pdfp59.TabXI.#5) – but this is when it’s enclosed in a blood cartouche.

·       T1320 is one of a run of 48 T-numbers from T1300 to T1347, given by Thompson in TCMH.p397-398.pdfp208-209, in a section at the end called “Unidentified glyphs”:

o These are the only T-numbers for which Thompson did not provide any examples – in the rest of his work, each T-number is immediately followed by one or more examples.

o However, in the entire work, Thompson provides extensive references to the inscriptions where a glyph with that T-number can be found. This holds also for the section of “unidentified glyphs”. From that reference information, it can be seen (TCMH.p398.pdfp209.l+8) that one example of T1320 is to be found on PAL Tablet of the 96 Glyphs J8. A drawing of this glyph-block (by Greene) is included in the examples above.

o All except two of these 48 “unidentified glyphs” / T-numbers have not survived into the 21st century, in the sense that they have not been assigned codes by either MHD or Bonn. The two exceptions are:

§ T1304, which has survived as MHD.ATC and Bonn’s 1304st – neither source provides a reading.

§ T1320, which has survived as MHD.SM3 and Bonn’s 1320st – only MHD provides a reading of TZ’IKIN?, Bonn provides no reading.

·       The connection between TZ’IKIN and the Tzolk’in day-name MEN is reinforced in Boot-PhD.p252.para1.l+1: The main sign as used in the Classic period for the day “Men” indeed seems to resemble a “bird” with a hooked beak (possibly an eagle- or a hawk-like bird) and may thus provide a better alternative in the interpretation of the second animal head in the above title sequence (Figure 3.21) [Sim: here Boot means the deity name Huk Chapaat Tz’ikin K’inich Ajaw].

·       Perhaps an eagle, and if not, then certainly a large predatory bird with a hooked beak.

·       Also found in the name of the god Huk Chapaat Tz’ikin K’inich Ajaw.

·       Features:

o Beak and large eye.

o LEM at the top of the head.

o Large square, non-darkened / non-cross-hatched eye.

·       Do not confuse this with the visually (very slightly!) similar KAMIS:

o They both have a beak and large eye.

o TZ’IKIN has LEM at the top of the head, not at the back – and there is no KAWAK at the top of the head (which is the distinctive feature of KAMIS).

o TZ’IKIN has no cross-hatching in large square eye.