As head variants also should be classified the so-called "full-figure glyphs," in which the periods given in Table [VIII] are represented by full figures instead of by heads. In these forms, however, only the heads of the figures are essential, since they alone present the determining characteristics, by means of which in each case identification is possible. Moreover, the head part of any full-figure variant is characterized by precisely the same essential elements as the
corresponding head variant for the same period, or in other words, the addition of the body parts in full-figure glyphs in no way influences or changes their meanings. For this reason head-variant and full-figure forms have been treated together. These full-figure glyphs are exceedingly rare, having been found only in five Initial Series throughout the Maya area: (1) On Stela D at Copan; (2) on Zoömorph B at Quirigua; (3) on east side Stela D at Quirigua; (4) on west side Stela D at Quirigua; (5) on Hieroglyphic Stairway at Copan. A few full-figure glyphs have been found also on an oblong altar at Copan, though not as parts of an Initial Series, and on Stela 15 as a period glyph of an Initial Series.
THE CYCLE GLYPH
Fig. 25. Signs for the cycle: a-c, Normal forms; d-f, head variants.
Fig. 26. Full-figure variant of cycle sign.
The Maya name for the period of the 5th order in Table [VIII] is unknown. It has been called "the cycle," however, by Maya students, and in default of its true designation, this name has been generally adopted. The normal form of the cycle glyph is shown in figure [25], a, b, c. It is composed of an element which appears twice over a knotted support. The repeated element occurs also in the signs for the months Chen, Yax, Zac, and Ceh (see figs. [19], o-v, [20], l-p). This has been called the Cauac element because it is similar to the sign for the day Cauac in the codices (fig. [17], b'), though on rather inadequate grounds the writer is inclined to believe. The head variant of the cycle glyph is shown in figure [25], d-f. The essential characteristic of this grotesque head with its long beak is the hand element (*