“I am loathe to leave the spot where Nature and man have wrought so well together,” she said, with simplicity and appreciation.
“Such pretty reluctance reconciles one to that obedience which sometimes tries the souls of men,” responded Orondo, satisfied with the admiration so plainly reflected in her open countenance.
As the tamanes knelt to receive their human freight, one of them presented Kerœcia with a basket ornamented with beads and feathers in quaint combination, and filled with ripe pomelos. The fruit was partially concealed by grape leaves, and was a simple offering to quench thirst.
In laying out the city of Tlamco, the four points of the compass were designated by different colors. The east, from whence come revivified nature and springtime, was marked by green. This symbolizes fulfillment and perfection. It holds out the hope of immortality and victory, in the laurel and in the palm. For this reason was the emerald considered the happiness-bringing stone. The Aztecs, Chinese, and Persians attach great significance to green as all their uniforms and ceremonies demonstrate.
The west was designated by white, the emblem indicating integrity in the judge, humility in the sick, and chastity in women. In a spiritual sense it is the acme of all—divinity. When worn as mourning white expresses negation of self.
The south was red, signifying fire, and all phases of life on the physical plane. The red color of the blood has its origin in the action of the heart, which from time immemorial has been associated with love.
The north was black, ever the symbol of death and despair. These people knew of the recurring Ice Age, and to them the north was typical of death, since all former civilization had perished from extreme cold.
The center of the city was marked yellow, in honor of the sun, the symbol of light and wisdom.
The Grand Servitor was expected to wear a yellow or red head-covering with gold ornaments, and he must at all times use yellow for a parasol or canopy. The highest dignitaries carried green umbrellas and there was always a bit of green showing in the head-coverings. The lower officials carried red parasols or wore red; while the citizens wore black, or carried black overhead.