was another symbol of the earth and of the state and its divisions. It
occurs as a composite flower consisting of a yellow centre surrounded by
multicolored petals. The usual form is of a flower with four equal petals,
bearing a circle or dot in the centre and one on each petal, the Middle
and Four Quarters being thus expressed.
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
A closing allusion should be briefly made to the native association of the
square with the earth and the circle with the heaven and to the influence
exerted by these ideas combined with those of light and darkness upon
primitive architecture and symbolical ornamental designs.
Pointing out that all of the above symbols are but variations on the
fundamental theme of the “Middle, Four Quarters, Above and Below,” I also
emphasize the fact that, in ancient America, language powerfully
influenced the choice of symbols, as may be particularly seen in the case
of the serpent, the Nahuatl and Maya names for which are homonymous with
duality and quadruplicity.
The origin and meaning of the ancient American symbols of the cross, the
serpent, the tree, etc., are clearly apparent. It remains to be seen how
far this is the case in other countries where the identical symbols were
or are employed, and it is to my fellow archæologists that I look for
final authoritative statements on this important subject, in their special
lines of research.
Meanwhile I shall present some facts which are accessible to the general
reader and suffice for the purpose of my present investigation.