K'anti'

Mayanist scholar Allen J. Christenson (2007: 74n80) explains the etymology of k'anti' as such: "K'an Ti' (Yucatec or Cholan: “Yellow Mouth”) is a pit viper, likely the cantil or fer-de-lance (Trigonocephalus specialis), which is extremely poisonous (Cook 2000, 166). Its name is perhaps derived from the yellow markings around the mouth of the fer-de-lance (D. Tedlock 1996, 228 n. 66). Basseta records that it may be any venomous serpent and lists specifically the coral snake. I have used pit viper which covers the range of venomous vipers living in the Maya region."

El lingüista k'iche' Sam Colop (2008: 29) traduce el nombre de la serpiente k'anti' como "barba amarilla." Junto con los venados, pájaros y jaguares, kanti/barba amarilla es uno de los guardianes del bosque y los bejucos, o bien como lo dice Ximénez, "los mecates."

Image permission: Wikimedia Commons.