What Are the Madrid Codex the Dresden Codex and the Paris Codex?

By Michael Ferguson

The Madrid Codex, the Dresden Codex, and the Paris Codex are three of the most significant surviving pre-Columbian Maya books. These manuscripts provide valuable insights into the culture, religion, and daily life of the ancient Maya civilization. In this article, we will take a closer look at each of these codices.

The Madrid Codex

The Madrid Codex is also known as the Tro-Cortesianus Codex or simply the Troano. It is named after its current location in Madrid’s Museo de América and its previous owner, Juan Tro y Ortolano. This codex is one of only four surviving pre-Columbian Maya books that have been preserved to this day.

The Madrid Codex is a screen-fold book made up of 56 pages (or folios) measuring about 23 centimeters by 12 centimeters. The text in this codex mainly deals with astronomy, astrology, and rituals related to these subjects. It also contains information about religious ceremonies and healing practices.

One notable feature of the Madrid Codex is its use of color illustrations. These vibrant images depict various gods and goddesses, as well as astronomical events such as eclipses and planetary movements.

The Dresden Codex

The Dresden Codex is one of the most famous pre-Columbian Maya books in existence. It was named after its current location in Dresden’s State Library and was likely created in the late 14th or early 15th century.

This codex consists of 39 leaves (or pages) made from bark paper that has been folded like an accordion into a long strip measuring over 3 meters long when fully extended. The text in this codex provides information on astronomy, ritual practices, divination techniques, and historical events.

Like the Madrid Codex, the Dresden Codex features many colorful illustrations depicting gods and goddesses, as well as astronomical events. One of the most notable images in this codex is the Maya Venus Table, which contains information on the cycles of the planet Venus.

The Paris Codex

The Paris Codex is a relatively unknown pre-Columbian Maya book that was discovered in France’s Bibliothèque Nationale in 1859. This codex is also known as the Peresianus Codex after its previous owner, Léon de Rosny.

The Paris Codex consists of 22 pages (or folios) made from deer hide that has been folded like a screen. The text in this codex provides information on divination techniques, astrology, and ritual practices related to these subjects.

Unlike the Madrid and Dresden Codices, the Paris Codex does not feature any illustrations or images. Instead, it contains only text written in black ink using Maya hieroglyphs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Madrid Codex, the Dresden Codex, and the Paris Codex are three important surviving pre-Columbian Maya books that shed light on various aspects of this ancient civilization. These manuscripts provide valuable insights into Maya astronomy, astrology, religious beliefs, and daily life. Despite their differences in size and content, all three codices showcase the remarkable artistic and intellectual achievements of the Maya people.