Most people do not know they exist, because during the 15 and 1600's white Catholics gathered up all of them and burned them. Only 3 survived, along with a fragment of a 4th. Saved by a priest who smuggled them away from the bonfires.
To look at them now, they are so much more than amazing works of art. They have confounded all types of scholars and have been used as a codex for a language that for atleast 200 years had been completely lost to history.
The man who finally cracked it made it very clear why it was almost impossible to read. They used up to 20 different symbols for the same sound. The numbers are pretty easy to read, but the actual language is so complicated, only geniuses can read it, for now.
I love the story of the Mayan codex. It really is a reminder of how we can burn history, but if even a fragment of that history remains, then there is hope.
3 comments:
Cool post, Christy!
ALso, Check your email...
I bet to the Christians, the Mayan codex did look satanic.
Every part of their culture was dripping in blood.
Unfortunately for the Mayans, the Christians were probably the one race more blood thirsty than they.
"I have a disease in my heart that only gold can cure!"
Do you see the dots and bars?
Each dot counts as 1, up to 4.
5's are represented by the bar.
So dot dot dot bar would be 8.
Dot dot dot, plus 3 bars = 18.
I was so freaking excited when I learned how to decipher their numbers! Finally I can read atleast some of it.
The language itself though. Way beyond me. But maybe my kids will find it easier since they are all being trained as artists early and I taught them the numbers too, so maybe one of them will pick it up.
I really hope so!
Checked mail, resent invites. Thanks for reminding me!
I think there is not a single race or religion that doesn't have enormous outrages to answer for! It makes me cry that such a document survived; just as it makes me cry when I see ancient rock art uncovered for the first time in thousands of years because, as you've said before, Christy, it is through art that we can understand our history, our cultures and therefore ourselves. In art I include music, crafts, writing, dance and all other aspects of creative life that continue to be produced no matter what the circumstances.
Yes, the Mayans were brutal and their culture "dripped with blood". I think of more recent times - Scottish history swims through blood. I don't even want to think about what has been happening on all sides of all wars that are being waged on the planet right now.
Thanks for this Christy. I have to say that you utterly exhaust me. I don't know when you have time to sleep, or even take a nap.
You are raising beautiful children with a great sense of themselves as well as a great sense of humanity. You are putting out so many works of art whilst taking on the learning of new skills that we are allowed a glimpse into - the struggle that those of us who are not artists aren't really aware of. You read, learn, write and educate thousands of people with the things you learn, by making your words accessible on the internet. Meanwhile you are creating all around you and your family a "living" work of art - your home. There is so much more, Christy. You truly astound me.
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