TRANSLATIONS
We proceed with the periods beyond 18:
Due to the form of the arm (nearly straight, but slightly convex downwards) in Kb2-110 and due to the period number 20 I have suggested that a major season (beginning with period 11) ends here. There is no maro in Kb2-106 and presumably, therefore, the two periods (19 and 29) belong together. In Kb2-104 there is a hanging maro at right and possibly this is a way to connect the glyph (and the period) with Kb2-110 in period 20. Henua in Kb2-109 is prominent, also telling us about a major season. Counting together the glyphs from the beginning of period 17 to the end of period 20 we have: 3 + *7 + 4 + 4 = *18 and we therefore have two seasons which may be involved: the 4 periods from 17 up to 20 and the major season covering *42 glyphs (24 before the middle and *18 after the middle of the calendar) - from Ka5-10 to Kb2-110:
There are *15 'black' glyphs from Kb1-104 to Kb2-110, a number corresponding to the reconstructed ordinal number in the line for Kb2-110 (i.e. equal to the sum of the glyphs in periods 18-20). The ordinal number in the calendar for Kb1-104 is *59, suggesting that a new season ought to begin with the next glyph. If we count from the 'beginning of sun', from period 24, the ordinal number in the calendar will be *59 + 36 = 95 (= 5 * 19). If we count from the beginning of period 0, the ordinal number will be *59 + 3 = 62 (= 2 * 31). If we count from the beginning of period 32 it will be *59 + 6 = 65 (= 5 * 13). If we count from the beginning of period 31 it will be *59 + 10 = 69 (= 3*23). The last alternative seems to be most meaningful. 23 equals 10 + 13 and also the number of glyphs in the 'moon season' (periods 17-23). Most important, though, is the interpretation we have arrived at earlier for the inverted henua in the 1st glyph in the 31st period:
We must take notice of the fact that the ordinal number is 19, and we remember the explanation of 95 - just a moment ago - as 5 * 19. Is there a meaning of 'new life' in number 19? If so, then it must be a 'new life' for the sun - because for the moon the 'new life' certainly is 29. The major season period includes a part of the 'blue' season:
There are 10 + *13 = *23 glyphs from Ka5-10 to Kb1-101, and 3 glyphs more to reach Kb1-104, at which glyph we have added *26 glyphs from Ka5-10. *26 + *15 = *41. Counting long (i.e. including also Ka5-10) we have a total of *42 glyphs for the major season. We had to revise the ordinal number for Kb2-110 from *73 to *74 due to the change from 6 to *7 in period 18. Similarly, the ordinal number for Kb3-8 must also be raised (from *84):
32 glyphs before Ka5-10, then 26 from Ka5-10 up to (but not including) Kb1-104. Kb1-104 seems to be a 'black' day in a double sense: not only is it the 3rd glyph in the 17th period, but also, possibly, not counted - neither backwards nor forwards - because beyond Kb1-104 up to and including Kb3-8 there are 26 glyphs. On the other hand, the headless Ka5-10 may be the glyph not counted, in which case there are 26 glyphs from Ka5-11 up to and including Kb1-104. Yet another possibility is not to count Kb3-8. The 17th period appears to be single, not to be grouped together as a member in a triplet of periods. Kb3-8, on the other hand, certainly must be the final glyph in a season and therefore counted. Kb1-104 is not counted forwards (to reach 26) Counting Kb1-104 backwards (to 26) up to but not including Ka5-10 could be argued for because there is a maro in Ka5-10. More important, though, is the fact that Ka5-9 is a prominent henua:
We continue onwards:
At the beginning of line b3 the accumulated glyph ordinal number in the calendar has reached *78, which possibly is significant because 6 * 13 = 78. On the other hand, there is no maro (signifying 'end') in Kb2-113. The strange tu'a appendage in Kb3-4 certainly connects the glyph to Kb2-111 in the previous period. Periods 21 and 22 belong together. In Kb3-7 (at the well known number 84) there are maro, one at left and one at right, probably alluding to the double henua in Kb3-8. Period 21 seems to be connected with period 22, while period 23 evidently is the end period of a grand season, thereby connecting backwards to period 17 (as we have seen):
The length of the grand season is *29 glyphs (associating to the number of nights in a month - including the dark night). The 59th glyph in the calendar is the end glyph in period 17 (Kb1-104). From Kb1-104 to Kb3-8 (the 85th glyph) there are 26 glyphs. Period 17 (the vero period), therefore, seems to be in a way isolated from the following periods. What we can read from the glyphs agrees with the number structure imagined - at least so far. 29 should be separated into 3 + 26. Period 24:
Maybe the hole in the body of Kb3-9 signifies how the old sun after having been decapitated is not rejuvenated but comes back in the form of next generation? I have recently read about how rejuvenation is impossible after decapitation: "When I discussed the theme of man's mortality in the South American myths, I showed that they developed it either in the form of the impossibility of rejuvenation or resurrection, or in the complementary form of premature aging ... The North American myths belonging to the lewd grandmother cycle retain this distinction, since, in the first type (the provocative neighbour), a very young hero suddenly loses all his teeth and so becomes a prematurely old man, whereas in the third (the incestous grandmother), a very old heroine succeeds in getting rid of her wrinkles; but even the most famous shamans fail to give her back her teeth: the absence of teeth is responsible for a second death, and this time resuscitation is no longer possible ... It can be noted in passing that the Coast Salish believed in a similar opposition between death from sickness and death by decapitation: only the second was irrevocable ..." (The Naked Man) |