#CentralAmerica

[whencyclopedia]

How to Read a Maya Glyph

For over three centuries, the ancient Maya flourished in Mesoamerica. They built giant stone pyramids surrounded by dense jungle, used a calendrical system that made many believe that 2012 would be the end of the world, and created a writing system that is as beautiful as it is complex. Its decipherment is ongoing, even today. In fact, it is so aesthetically rich and difficult to master, one needed to be an accomplished artist in order to write it properly. Fittingly, ancient Maya scribes and artists were all known by the same title: t'zib.

Deciphering Ancient Maya: Syllables & Concepts

The Maya writing system is logosyllabic, meaning its symbols can represent sounds in the form of syllables (like “ma” or “tot”), or they might represent whole concepts (like “river” or “house”). This made the language very difficult to decode, and in fact, scholars initially thought the entire writing system was phonetic due to the unfounded assumptions of a missionary named Diego de Landa. Originally from Spain, de Landa's first language was naturally Spanish. Therefore, when he attempted to decipher the Maya language, he broke it down into individual sounds (vowels and consonants) rather than syllables, the product of which is an inaccurate record of the Maya written and spoken language and a misleading guide for scholars. It wasn't until 1952 CE that it was suggested that the language might be syllabic rather than phonetic. This was a major breakthrough in the decipherment of the ancient Maya written language.

The distinction between a phonetic and a syllabic language is small but essential. A phonetic language uses individual sounds to build spoken words. English, German, and modern Romance languages like French, Italian, and Spanish are phonetic languages, to name a few. When written, each symbol (letter) represents a single sound (a vowel or consonant) like “o” or “b”. Syllabic languages, however, are made up of consonant-vowel (CV) or consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) combinations, like “ta” or “bot.” Japanese, for example, uses the CV model for the majority of two of its alphabets: katakana and hiragana.

The Maya glyphs are further complicated by their use of conflation, wherein two or more glyphs are combined, and some elements of the glyphs are eliminated or simplified, diminishing their individual complexity in order to create a legible, aesthetically pleasing glyph that fits within the space provided, whether that be on a small decorated cup, or a giant stone stela.

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[adventurouspath]

Wild Skatelabera-man caught in Mexico City.

Shot with Fuji X100V

[lutnistas]

Tikal Mayan Ruins ( Guatemala )

[wingedjewels]

Azure-crowned Hummingbird by Adam Rainoff Via Flickr: In the lush environment of Villa Verde, nestled in the city of Gracias, Lempira, Honduras, I had the unique opportunity to photograph the Azure-crowned Hummingbird (Saucerottia cyanocephala). This image encapsulates the essence of this stunning bird, set against the vibrant backdrop of its natural habitat. The hummingbird, known for its dynamic presence and exquisite coloring, is highlighted in a moment of serene beauty. The challenge of capturing such a rapidly moving subject was met with a combination of patience and technical precision, resulting in a composition that balances sharp focus on the bird with a softly blurred background, emphasizing its striking features. From a photographic standpoint, this shot required a keen eye for detail and an understanding of the bird's behavior. The interplay of natural light and shadow brings out the intricate patterns and colors of the bird’s plumage, while the subtle hint of pollen on its beak adds depth to the story behind the image. This photograph is not just a visual record; it’s a celebration of the unique wildlife found in Central America, and a testament to the art of bird photography. ©2022 Adam Rainoff

[teamnatural-blog]

REBLOG IF YOU LOVE MANGOES!

Rep your set if you’re country has more than 5 types of mangoes & name them!!!

[blackleopards-whitelions]

61st post.

[mapsontheweb]

About 1200 B.C., an agrarian people raising maize, beans, and squash began to build the first of many independent city-states in Mesoamerica. Published in the Dec. 1997

by @NatGeoMaps

[insanae-threads]

Zodiac signs as Latin America Countries

Aries: Mexico 🇲🇽

Taurus: Costa Rica 🇨🇷

Gemini: Uruguay 🇺🇾

Cancer: Peru 🇵🇪

Leo: Brazil 🇧🇷

Virgo: Venezuela 🇻🇪

Libra: Argentina🇦🇷

Scorpio: Colombia 🇨🇴

Sagittarius: Puerto Rico 🇵🇷

Capricorn: Chile 🇨🇱

Aquarius: Cuba 🇨🇺

Pisces: Dominican Republic 🇩🇴

[coffeenuts]

[cosmic-rains-blog]

I can’t believe that my trip through South America has come to an end

After 14 months of full on traveling, adventuring and integrating deeply into South America, I have made my way to Central America to start my next journey of about 14 months here.

Oh, South America - there is just no way I could ever explain how much natural beauty, dramatic scenery, unreal experiences, never-ending adventures are there.

This is truly such a special place in the world and I am so so grateful I had so much time in the countries I visited to do and see everything my heart desired and so much more - from nature to culture to animals, I can just never explain in words the feelings of being there and experiencing it for yourself ❤️

I am not sad to leave South America because I know with my whole heart I will be returning in the near future, especially to all my favourite places 🥰

I am excited for the next year of exploring the ocean and being in beautiful tropical weather 🌸

[fairyofthelowlands]

Scarlet sabrewing hummingbird

[illuminatingfacts]

Gold Chains and Freedom Flames: Mr. T’s Revolution in Central America! Read all about it!

[adventurouspath]

In between rails.

Shot with Fuji X100V.

[lutnistas]

Tikal Mayan Ruins ( Guatemala )

[wingedjewels]

White-eared Hummingbird by Adam Rainoff Via Flickr: In the verdant enclave of Villa Verde, situated at the gateway to Honduras's majestic Celaque National Park, I captured the essence of the White-eared Hummingbird, Basilinna leucotis. This bird, a symphony of nature's finesse, was photographed amidst the vibrant tableau of Central America's cloud forest, a region where every hue and cry of wildlife feels amplified in its purity. The photograph highlights the distinct white mark behind the eye, a characteristic feature that gives the species its name, and the subtle yet striking red of the bill that contrasts sharply with the bird's dark facial mask. From a photographer's standpoint, this image was a dance with light and shadow, requiring a delicate balance to ensure the bird's iridescent features were showcased against the soft natural backdrop. Employing a shallow depth of field allowed for the bird's intricate details to stand out, while the play of light accentuated the textures of its plumage. The challenge was not just to capture the image but to convey the story of this hummingbird's existence within the larger narrative of the ecosystem it inhabits—a story of coexistence and mutual dependence. ©2022 Adam Rainoff

[solcosteiro]

Dog days of summer