There is a certain resemblance between some of the hura glyphs and the maitaki glyphs - both glyph types have 'balls' connected with a 'string':
'... The Dakota use a circle as the symbol of time, a smaller one for a year and a larger one for a longer period: the circles are arranged in rows, thus: OOO or O-O-O ...' Such 'balls' indicate periods of time also in the rongorongo system of writing, and - like in the system of the Dakota indians - greater size means greater (longer) periods. In a maitaki glyph the vertical straight line is drawn in a way which stands in contrast to the straight lines in hura glyphs - it is drawn inside instead of on the outside. This contrast probably means the 'balls' of hura should be contrasted with the 'balls' of maitaki - it means they are of a different kind. The balls of maitaki are only halves, probably in order to indicate they represent periods relating to the yearly path of Sun. He has 'two wives' and he is therefore 'present' only during half the year, the other half he spends with his 'winter maid' north of the equator. Thus we can conclude that the 'balls' of hura do not refer to Sun periods. Yet, indirectly hura balls apparently were used for counting the time of the year as the following example from Keiti demonstrates:
5 of the 7 hura glyphs are drawn like 'trees' growing from an oval 'nut' at bottom. In the first part of the year we can count the 'berries' in the 'trees' as 4 + 5 + 5 = 14, which possibly means 14 periods with 15 nights in each (14 * 15 = 210 nights). Counting with a 'greater fortnight' like this is a sign of Moon (who is visible during 2 * 14 = 28 nights in a month). The duration of the 'front side' of the year, when Sun is ruling, cannot be measured by Sun - you need a 'yardstick' to compare with, something else, and this is Moon. 210 nights can then be converted into 'Sun currency' for instance by dividing with 30 giving the result 7 months. The second part of the year, the 'back side', is a more complex matter. In Eb7-11 the 'crown of the tree' is drawn as a special sign and it is repeated in Eb7-14 with greater balls. In between is the central event:
Atua mata viri (the words of Metoro) means 'the god whose eyes are turned around'. The glyph describes how the old ruler (year) is 'waving goodbye'. The glyph type is tagata rere which evidently was used at the end of seasons. His empty hand underlines the situation - he has no more 'light' ('life') to offer. But he will continue anyhow by using his ure (right bottom sign) in order to impregnate his wife and ensure his continued life in next generation (next year). His eyes are turned around in the process. Metoro indicated the new beginning by a Capital letter (Erua oona mea ki te puoko, 'two mea he has as his head'). The head of atua mata viri has disappeared. Mea presumably means 'red' here, because anciently 'red' was used to indicate 'great' stars (irrespective of their 'true' colours). Counting time on the 'back side' we can rely on the structure of G. This tablet has 16 * 29.5 - 1 = 471 glyphs (although its basic calendar cycle is 14 * 29.5 = 413 nights long). 16 is also the ordinal number (in the line) of the last glyph of the 'back side' above (Eb7-16). 471 - 210 = 261, a number which probably symbolized the absence of Sun. It is 'one more' (alluding to the regeneration of next year in atumn) than the 10 months with 26 days in each as defined for the 'Sun King'. |
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