Codex Vaticanus B: Structure and Divinatory Content
The Codex Vaticanus B is a significant Mesoamerican manuscript that serves as a complex guide to the Tonalpohualli, the 260-day divinatory calendar used by indigenous cultures of Central Mexico. Through its intricate layout, the codex provides a spiritual and temporal framework for understanding the influence of deities and cosmic forces on human life.
Based on the research and proposals of Elizabeth Hill Boone, the manuscript is divided into 31 distinct sections. These sections range from expansive almanacs to specific guides for life events, blending astronomical observations with religious symbolism.
Key Facts
- Primary Focus: The 260-day Tonalpohualli divinatory calendar.
- Organization: Divided into 31 sections as proposed by Elizabeth Hill Boone.
- Key Deities: Features prominent figures such as Quetzalcoatl and Mictlantecuhtli.
- Content Types: Includes birth, marriage, rain, and Venus almanacs, as well as corporeal diagrams.
- Structure: Contains both a primary sequence and a reverse side with specialized trecenas (13-day periods).
The Structure of the Tonalpohualli
The codex begins with an in extenso almanac, providing a comprehensive overview of the calendar's cycle. This is followed by grouped lists of days—specifically a 40-day group associated with pairs of figures and a 76-day group linked to six deities residing in five temples and a construction.
The manuscript further explores the relationship between time and space through directional almanacs. These are organized as compressed tables featuring four gods and cosmic trees, illustrating how the Tonalpohualli interacts with the cardinal directions of the universe.
Temple and Celestial Arrangements
Spatial organization is a recurring theme in the Codex Vaticanus B. Thirty-two day signs are arranged in an encircling list around two temples, while another thirty-one signs are positioned between a dedicated night temple and a day temple. The codex also documents the "Lords of the Night" and the "Night-sky bearers," highlighting the celestial hierarchy.
Specialized Almanacs and Life Events
Beyond general time-keeping, the codex functions as a practical guide for various human activities and natural phenomena. These specialized almanacs were likely used by priests to determine auspicious dates for specific actions.
- Agricultural and Natural: Includes a specific almanac for digging and a detailed rain almanac, the latter of which is also associated with the four quarters of the world.
- Life Transitions: Dedicated sections provide guidance for birth and marriage.
- Biological and Animal: Sections detail animal attacks and the roles of day sign patrons.
The reverse side of the manuscript introduces trecenas, which are 13-day periods that form the building blocks of the divinatory cycle. This side also contains a Venus almanac, tracking the movements of the planet Venus, which held immense significance in Mesoamerican cosmology.
Corporeal and Diagrammatic Representations
One of the most unique aspects of the Codex Vaticanus B is its use of corporeal almanacs—calendrical data mapped onto the human body or figures. These include arrangements over the figures of Quetzalcoatl (the feathered serpent deity) and Mictlantecuhtli (the god of the underworld), as well as a "deer of our flesh" diagram.
Other symbolic representations include the five Cihuateteo (spirits of women who died in childbirth), the Macuiltonaleque, and day signs associated with four scorpions or an opossum and a monkey.
Summary of Codex Sections
| Category | Key Sections/Features | Associated Elements |
|---|---|---|
| General Calendar | In extenso almanac, Trecenas | 260-day Tonalpohualli cycle |
| Life & Nature | Birth, Marriage, Rain, Digging | Auspicious timing for events |
| Cosmology | Directional almanac, Venus almanac | Cosmic trees, 4 gods, Planet Venus |
| Deities & Figures | Corporeal almanacs | Quetzalcoatl, Mictlantecuhtli |
| Symbolic Lists | Day sign patrons, Animal attacks | Scorpions, Opossum, Monkey |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tonalpohualli?
The Tonalpohualli is a 260-day Mesoamerican divinatory calendar used to determine the spiritual influence of specific days on individuals and events.
Who proposed the current division of the Codex Vaticanus B?
The division of the codex into 31 sections was proposed by the scholar Elizabeth Hill Boone.
What are trecenas in the context of this codex?
Trecenas are 13-day periods that serve as the primary organizational units within the Tonalpohualli calendar.
Which deities are prominently featured in the corporeal almanacs?
The corporeal almanacs prominently feature Quetzalcoatl and Mictlantecuhtli, often appearing as individual figures or a double figure.
What is a corporeal almanac?
A corporeal almanac is a diagrammatic representation where calendrical information and day signs are arranged over or around a physical body or figure.