Kotz'i'j

Los autores k'iche' del Popol Wuj usan dos términos distintos para hablar de la presencia de las flores en el texto: kotz'i'j (flores) y muchij o muchit (pétalos). El lingüista k'iche' Sam Colop (1999: 98n225) explica que "Much'ij y much'it derivan de much'u que quiere decir 'desmenuzar' de acuerdo con Basseta, o much' 'amontar' conforme a Ximénez." En el cuerpo del texto, el investigador escribe los términos como "muchij" y "muchit" aunque en las notas añade la oclusiva glotal.

The K'iche' authors of the Popol Wuj use two terms to refer to flowers in the story: kotz'i'j (flowers) and much'ij (petals), which K'iche' linguist Sam Colop (1999: 98n225) writes as "muchij" and "muchit." Anthropologist Allen J. Christenson (2007: 165n381) observes that the term for "petals" is derived from much', meaning "to break apart, crumble, break into pieces." He adds, "Flower petals are commonly given as offerings in modern highland Maya ceremonies, often broken off the flower as part of the ceremony as prayers are made. It would be much easier for the ants to carry away petals than whole flowers. Alternatively, it may be related to muchechen, which Basseta defines as 'a fragrant flower,' and a 'sign of love.'"

Image credit: Justin Kerr, Maya Vase Database, #K8484, ruler accepting flowers