In Tahua
there is a qualitative difference between side a and side b, which can be
illustrated for instance in how the tara glyphs are designed:
5 of the 18 glyphs are on side a (redmarked) and 13 on side b (blackmarked). 'Fish tail' tara glyphs do not exist on side a. But 'toes' (which like fingers suggest 'fire', cfr the myth about Maui and Mahuika) do exist also on side b (Ab1-46, Ab3-29 and Ab8-42). 8 of the glyphs (redmarked + the 3 just mentioned) show 'toes' and 8 show 'fish tails'. 2 (Ab1-72 and Ab1-82) show neither. If Tahua is constructed to enable the reader to use the text as some kind of great and complex calendar, then side a could represent 'summer' and side b 'winter'. There is more 'fire' (warmth and light) in summer than in winter. |