Mexicolore Activity Sheet 1: Puzzling Pictograms!

When the Aztecs wrote stories, laws, songs and other important records in their books (called
'amoxtin' in Náhuatl), they did so by drawing pictograms. Pictograms were illustrations of words
that defined or explained objects, ideas, sounds and even metaphors. Special illustrators were
chosen for their fine, nimble hands and were trained for many years in this art. They were called
Tlacuilos.
On the following pages of this activity sheet you will find some pictograms that can be linked to
the words and hints provided immediately below. They are taken from old codices written either
in Aztec times or after the conquest in the 16th century. Link the pictograms on page 2 to their
meanings on this page. The first meaning is already completed.

MEANING OF PICTOGRAM A HINT? PICTOGRAM NUMBER

A. Marriage Tying the knot. Pictogram number 4
B. Heart Aztec sacred hearts had red tips.
C. War Water and fire: opposing elements.
D. Cave Caves were the mouths into the underworld.
E. Earthquake Dominated by the glyph for movement, a large X.
F. Moon Mesoamericans believed a rabbit lived in the moon.
G. Prickly Pear Cactus Watch out because it's spiky.
H. Famine Hungry enough to clutch at your stomach.
I. Stars The eyes of the night.
J. Comet A flying serpent.
K. A Good Crop ...means healthy looking plants!
L. Conquest Spanish conquerors burned down Aztec temples.
M. School The roof is decorated with shells.
N. Water See how it swirls.
O. Market Going 'round in circles.

P. Place or Community A mountain symbolised a large community.

Q. Mat of Power He who sits upon it bears an emblem of power.
R. Eclipse The sun is 'broken' by the moon.
S. Fire Ceremony Puffs of smoke come from the sacred kindling stick.
T. Snow Storm Thick and fast, it is deathly.
U. Journey A journey will be hard on your feet.
V. Washing Clothes All you need is water and a good scrubbing stone.
W. Rain Brought forth by the clouds.
X. Speech A precious speech scroll comes from the lips.
Y. Plague The rodents are at it again!
 10.
1.

18.

11.

2.
19.

12.

3. 20.

13.

4. Marriage (A)

21.
14.

5.

22.
6.

15.
23.

7.

8. 16.
24.

9. 17.
25.
Answer Key:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y

4 17 14 1 23 18 21 2 8 12 16 6 3 19 7 20 22 10 11 13 15 24 25 5 9