Note 227-1 — DAY SYMBOLS OF THE MAYA YEAR

Dr Brinton (Primer, p. 110) says the object represented by this symbol is “a polished stone, shell pendant, or bead.” This authority considers the dot or eye in the upper part as a perforation by which it was strung on a cord. If this be true, it is strange that we see them nowhere in the codices strung on strings, though necklaces are frequently represented; and that we do see them piled up in vessels, see them putting forth shoots and leaves, and see birds and quadrupeds devouring thorn. Dr Brinton himself (p. 123, E. No. 29) gives one of these sprouting kan symbols, which he says “is a picture of the maize plant from Cod. Tro., p. 29.” That it is not used ikonomatically here is evident, as kan in Maya is not a name for maize or grain of maize.