Codex Selden / Codex Añute, c. 1560 (manuscript)

Codex Selden (Codex Añute): Mixtec pictorial manuscript ( ñee ñuhu ), 1556 × 1560s. MS. Arch. Selden. A.2, p. 2. Starting at bottom (continuation of p. 1). Band I. The purpose of the visit to the lords of Apoala was to ask them to engender, from the trees, several princes, primarily the one named M 2 Grass 'Death Serpent' (who stands at the apex of the tree). He was to marry F 8 Rabbit, as will be seen later in the book. The vessel which represents the river is similar to one on page 1, band II. The layer of earth which encloses it terminates to the rights in a tiger's head, and in a serpent's head on the left. The three stones in the water are decorated with a jewel, a tiger's head and what appears to be flames. A wall, from which fames rise, is in the centre. A stone mask is at each side of the wall, one with Tláloc figure, and the other with the head of a lizard; above each mask are some papers decorated with red undulating lines and a knotted strip. They are the offerings brought by the priests who sit to left and right of the tree, which emerges from the wall. It has an eye on its trunk and two serpents, representing north and south wind around it, one is lined with clouds, the other with stars. In the upper part, on either side, a doubled strip forming a right angle, with stars, represents the nocturnal sky. On the right is an ornament of gold or jade. The year 10 Reed (827?-879?) is on the left. M 2 Grass 'Death Serpent' is linked to the tree by a red umbilical cord (see p. 1). On the right are other representations connected with this scene. Connected by a vertical line are a container holding an eagle, another with a Turtle-Xiuhcoatl (which is the name of a sacrificer), and finally a hand holding a large flint knife with a face. Six personages are seen on the right, they all have a red umbilical cord, which indicates that they were born in the same year but on different days which are given by the calendrical names and surnames drawn above their head. Band II (from right to left). The origin of the lord M 2 Grass 'Death Serpent' having been explained, the story continues with his marriage within 15 or 275 days of his birth, in the same year 10 Reed (827?-879?), day 4 Deer (date is to the right). He marries princess F 8 Rabbit 'Sun Headdress', daughter of M 4 Eagle 'Ballcourt' and F10 Eagle 'Tlaltecuhtli with strips of paper' , the lords of the Cave of the Human Head (see p. 1, band II, where these three characters are similarly represented). the newly weds M 2 Grass and F 8 Rabbit become lords of the Whirlpool of Blood-Temple of the Spiderweb and Smoke (see red whirlpool below them, half circular spiderweb, temple walls and curling smoke motifs behind 2 Grass).