Article suitable for older students

Florentine Codex Book 3

13th Jun 2022

Book 3 of the Florentine Codex is relatively short and is titled ‘The Origin of the Gods’. It focuses heavily on the myths surrounding Quetzalcóatl and his importance to the Toltec people of Tula. The Appendix contains interesting sections on the heavens and underworlds, how individuals were buried, and on life in the two main types of school...

1). Third chapter, which telleth the tale of Quetzalcoatl, who was a great wizard: where he ruled and what he did when he went away.
’And these Tolteca were very rich; they were wealthy. Never were they poor. They lacked nothing in their homes. Never was there famine. The maize rejects they did not need; they only burned them [to heat] the sweat baths with them.
’And this Quetzalcoatl also did penances. He bled the calf of his leg to stain thorns with blood. And he bathed at midnight. And he bathed there where his bathing place was, at a place called Xippacoyan.
’Him each of the fire priests imitated, as well as the offering priests. And the offering priests took their manner of conduct from the life of Quetzalcoatl. By it they established the law of Tula. Thus were customs established here in Mexico.’ -----

2). The part of the Appendix, which telleth of the souls of the dead and of still other services [rendered] the devil.
’And when the rulers and the noblemen died, they put green stones in their mouths. And if they were only commoners, [they used] only greenish stones or obsidian. It was said that they became their hearts.
’And the rulers with many things they were bedizened: their paper adornment which they made was a noble paper streamer either four fathoms or three fathoms [in length], of paper which they glued together. And upon it they hung various feathers - heron feathers, troupial feathers, dark yellow parrot feathers, scarlet macaw wing feathers, motmot feathers, hawk feathers, and still other feathers.’ -----

3). The part of the Appendix, which telleth of the souls of the dead and of still other services [rendered] the devil.
’Two sextons took great care of [the dead one]. And some of the sextons were gathered singing. And when the body of [the dead one] already was burning, they took great pains with it; they kept packing it down. And the body crackled and popped and smelled foul. And when it had come to pass that they burned it, thereupon they placed in a heap, they piled up, the embers. And they said “Let him be bathed”; thereupon they bathed him - they threw water on him, they kept wetting him, they made a slush. When it cooled, once again they placed the charcoal in a heap. Thereupon they dug a round hole in which to place it: a pit. This they called a cave. Thereupon they put the charcoal in. There they covered the pit.
’And likewise [was it done with] the noblemen as well as the commoners.’ -----