Notes on Certain Maya and Mexican Manuscripts / Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1881-82, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1884, pages 3-66

by Cyrus Thomas

Chavero.

1. Tochtli	—	Rabbit	—	South	—	Earth.
2. Acatl	—	Cane	—	East	—	Water.
3. Tecpatl	—	Flint	—	North	—	Fire.
4. Calli	—	House	—	West	—	Air.

Judging from the differences shown in these lists, we are forced to the conclusion that no entirely satisfactory result has been reached in reference to the assignment of the different symbols to the cardinal points; still a careful analysis will bring out the fact that there is a strong prevalency of opinion on one or two points among the earlier authorities. In order that this may be seen I present here a list in a different form from the preceding.

REFERENCE OF THE YEARS TO THE CARDINAL POINTS.

		Tochtli	—	Acatl	—	Tecpatl	—	Calli.
Sahagun	—	South	—	East	—	North	—	West.
Gemelli	—	South	—	East	—	North	—	West.
Duran	—	South	—	East	—	North	—	West.
Orozco y Berra	—	South	—	East	—	North	—	West.
Chavero	—	South	—	East	—	North	—	West.
Torquemada	—	South	—	East	—	North	—	West.
Boturini	—	North	—	West	—	South	—	East.

REFERENCE OF COLORS TO THE CARDINAL POINTS.

		South	—	East	—	North	—	West.
Gemelli	—	Blue	—	Red	—	Yellow	—	Green.
Duran	—	Blue	—	Green	—	Red	—	Yellow.
Charencey[40]	—	Red	—	Yellow	—	Black	—	White.
Schultz-Sellack	—	Yellow	—	Red	—	White	—	Black.

REFERENCE OF ELEMENTS TO THE CARDINAL POINTS.

		South	—	East	—	North	—	West.
Gemelli	—	Earth	—	Water	—	Air[41]	—	Fire.
Boturini	—	Fire	—	Earth	—	Air	—	Water.
Schultz-Sellack	—	Air	—	Fire	—	Water	—	Earth.
Chavero	—	Earth	—	Water	—	Fire	—	Air.