The Teotihuacan Tlaloc Glyph with Maya Shell Iconography

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2025: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The Tlaloc glyph has been considered a symbol which refers to the Teotihuacan Tlaloc and appears in the diverse cultural material of the grand metropolis. Examples of the Teotihuacan Tlaloc glyph also appear outside the Central Mexican highlands such as within the Maya area. Two examples of this emblematic glyph appear on the Tikal Marcador. The Tikal Marcador was found placed upon a large spondylus shell which gives insight to its relationship with water. I posit that the Teotihuacan Tlaloc emblem glyph may have been influenced by Maya water iconography. The Teotihuacan Tlaloc glyph consists of three parallel dots and a prominent bigotera that is placed inside a cartouche. I argue that the three circular elements are related to Maya shell iconography, especially seen on the spondylus shell earspools worn by Chahk as well as rulers who embody Chahk. The three circles could be an added layer expressing the essence of Chahk. This fusion of the two rain entities, the Teotihuacan Tlaloc and Chahk within this glyph not only expresses Teotihuacan as a multiethnic city but reflects its strong political relationship with the Maya.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 90th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2025)   •
• SAA 2025: Individual Abstracts

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 52918