Codex Magliabechiano

An important source on the ceremonial dress and rituals of the indigenous population of Mexico
Patterns of ceremonial dress, alcoholic beverages, mountains, rain, and the gods of the dead are detailed
A detailed Spanish commentary adds even more value to this mid-16th century document

Codex Magliabechiano

Ms. Magl. Cl. XIII.3 Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze (Florence, Italy)

Description

Codex Magliabechiano

This codex from the library of Antonio de Marco Magliabechi (1633-1714) belongs to a series of post-Columbian Mexican illuminated manuscripts from around the middle of the 16th century. Painted on European paper, reproductions of calendrical-religious knowledge appear in the characteristic broken style of the early colonial period. The great value of the manuscript lies in its detailed Spanish explanations. The presentation of the patterns of cloaks worn in ceremonies is followed by the indication of the 20 day signs and a calendar cycle of 52 years. This is followed by the series of monthly festivals. The gods of the pulque, the dead, the mountains, and the rain are described in particular detail, as are the rituals of the feasts for the dead and the healing of the sick. Finally, the depiction of the four deities whose costumes formed part of the Mexican gift to Cortés in 1519 deserves mention.

Codex Magliabechiano

The Codex Magliabechiano comes to us from the library of Antonio de Marco Magliabechi and is one of a number of post-Columbian Mexican illuminated manuscripts from around the middle of the 16th century. A calendar of religious knowledge is shown in the characteristic broken style of the early colonial age and is painted on European paper. The precious value of this manuscript comes from the inclusion of a detailed Spanish commentary. The patterns of ceremonial coats are illustrated and followed by a depiction of the 20 symbols of days and a calendar cycle of 52 years. Included in this are a series of monthly celebrations. Pulque (an alcoholic drink from the maguey plant) and the gods of the dead, mountains, and rain are all elaborately illustrated; as well as ritual celebrations of the dead and healing of the sick. Finally worth mentioning is the presentation of the four divinities whose costumes formed a part of a Mexican gift to Cortes in 1519.

Codicology

Alternative Titles: Codice Magliabechiano
Manuscript Magliabechiano
Magliabecchi
Book of the Life of the Ancient Mexicans Containing an Account of Their Rites and Superstitions
Type: Manuscript on paper
Size / Format: 186 pages / 21.5 × 15.5 cm
Origin: Mexico
Date: Mid 16th century
Epochs: Late Middle Ages Onwards
Style: Pre-Columbian
Renaissance
Genre: Mythology / Prophecies
Treatises / Secular Books
Language: Spanish
Script: Cursive Gothic Textura Rotunda
Illustrations: 99 miniatures
Content: Ceremonial dress and rituals of the indigenous population of Mexico
Previous Owners: Antonio de Marco Magliabechi (1633–1714)

Available facsimile editions:

Detail Picture

Codex Magliabechiano

Aztec Priests Appeasing Mictlāntēcutli

In the Aztec religion, Mictlāntēcutli is the God of the Dead and King of Mictlan, the lowest and northernmost section of the underworld. These two Aztec priests are engaged in a form of self-sacrifice whereby they pierce their tongues and earlobes with large knives in order to appease Mictlāntēcutli. Their arms and legs also appear to have been penetrated in multiple places. The worship of this fearsome god, one of the Aztecs’ chief deities, sometimes required ritualized acts of cannibalism that involved consuming human flesh in and around the temple. As such, some of the blood covering the two priests may not be their own.

Single Page

Codex Magliabechiano

A Tzitzimitl

One of the Aztecs’ most feared mythical demons is a Tzitzimitl, plural Tzitzimime, which bring death and destruction to mankind and take revenge on all enemies. Generally regarded as female beings, these dualistic skeletal figures were also associated with fertility and as such were worshipped by midwives and expectant mothers. There are also parallels between the Tzitzimime and the fallen angels of the Judeo-Christian tradition.

The goddess Itzpapalotl is the leader of the Tzitzimime and ruler of Tamoanchan, a paradise where humans are created and according to legend, they expelled from this paradise because of their sins. Banished to live in the darkness of the firmament, these star demons lie in wait like spiders for a solar eclipse, when they can descend to earth and possess men, and also have a role to play in the Aztec conception of the apocalypse.

Facsimile Editions

#1 Codex Magliabechiano

Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Graz, 1970

Publisher: Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Graz, 1970

Binding: Folding book in half leather case with commentary

Commentary: 1 volume (78 pages) by Ferdinand Anders
Languages: English, German, Spanish

Introduction (in German), summaries (in English and Spanish)

Facsimile Copy Available!

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