The Eye Of The Sun

Comparison of Maya and Colima Compositions

Clifford C. Richey October 2009

Mexico, Colima, Late Formative – Early Classic 200 B.C. - A.D. 200 Shaft tomb whistle effigy of a guardian warrior with shield. Clay; h. 12.3 cm., w. 7.8 cm. Princeton University Art Museum, Anonymous loan Photo credit: Bruce M. White

Excerpt from Madrid Codex Sitting Figure

Illustration 2: Form Of Colima Figure

Illustration 1: Form of Madrid Codex Figure

Here we are comparing the compositions of two different cultures, the Maya (Madrid codex) and the Colima. The material used for these compositions was different as the Maya composed on a form of paper while the Colima used ceramic. However, we will see that the two compositions deal with the same subject, The Eye of the Sun. The details of the messages are slightly different but surprisingly consistent despite the difference in cultures and perhaps, time periods. The Colima Initial Form is one of an Eye over a Rectangular vertical-place Form. The Maya used the Form of an upper-half sign, The upper-world over what appears to be the Form of a Hand, the steward. The Hand appears to be making the gesture sign for large (as opposed to the gesture sign for little or small which is made by showing only a little space between the thumb and the index finger). From our analysis of the two compositions it becomes clear that they have many signs in common because the subject matter (relating to Venus as the Eye of the Sun) is similar. The differences in gesture signs used are related to the difference in the location or position of Venus below the earth as well as some minor differences in message content.

Illustration 3: Color Coded Comparison Of The Compositions The first thing we notice when we move down to the Imagery level is that the Stance between the two compositions is different. The Colima figure is standing while the Maya figure is sitting. This delineates the difference between having arisen and waiting. In both cases the figure is missing its Head which has been replaced by an Eyebrow and an Eye. In both cases there is reference to a hole-inthe-surface (black). The Colima used an actual hole both for com-positional reasons and because the ceramic is also a whistle. The Maya used the sign for a hole. The Eyebrows in both cases seem to be present a count perhaps of levels related to the sky as they form the sign for the sky-arc. The Eye in the sky-its-places. The Maya count is 22 while the Colima count is 15. It should also be noted that the count changes for the Maya composition when one views it from the front. The count then becomes 19. What these counts actually mean is presently unknown. The Maya composition also includes Tumiknife Imagery (gray within the blue outline) within the Eye as a sign for warrior. Both compositions include the signs for a Hand (green). The Colima Hand is attached to an Arm which means the arm-of-the-sun, his hand, his steward. In the Colima composition the entire figure except for the Hand is between Two Line signs indicating it is unseen. This makes sense because the figure is behind a large, curved, shield (front view) which is probably related to the hole as a tube beneath the surface. Thus from the front of the ceramic all one sees is the visible Hand on the shield (left side of the shield meaning the direction, East). It is only the Hand, the Shield, and the Eye that can be seen in the frontal view The great place of the Eye of the Sun, his Hand, his steward on the side. In the Maya composition the Hand appears to be in the gesture sign for pointing a direction meaning, here.

In the above illustration we see the Eye-of-the-Sun peering out from behind the Shield (red outline). The upper part of the Eye presents us with the Form of the sky-arc that also has 19 place signs forming the same arc. The 19 places or levels of the sky. Next we see the Imagery of a Face, his appearance or he appears. There are what seem to be Two Fingers (dark and light brown) that make up the Forehead of the Face. The Two Fingers are not separated so their meaning is, the two-together or the two- as one. This, as described in past papers, appears to mean the two faces of Venus as it is one but appears on two horizons. The Two Eyes are separated (stance, on the sides of) by a Nose which is in the Form of a Breast, a hill. The holes on the hillside. The yellow area seems to be joined fingers pointing in two directions and the Space between the Headdress and the Shield creates small earth-female signs. Together this would mean, on both sides of the earth. On the side of the Shield, a Rectangular vertical-place sign we see the Hand (green) is visible also. The Hand of the Sun, its steward, on the side. As much as can be seen of the signs on the Shield (blue) indicate a place sign containing multiple (and Double, unseen) wavy motion signs. Thus the Shield is a place that contains-unseen-movement). The movement of Venus.