Open AccessMexico: The Rabbit's Navel
Author(s) -
Gutierre Tibón
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
names
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.2
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 1756-2279
pISSN - 0027-7738
DOI - 10.1179/nam.1991.39.3.257
Subject(s) - navel , rabbit (cipher) , geography , ancient history , archaeology , cartography , anatomy , biology , history , computer science , computer security
AbstractThe toponym Mexico has long been etymologized as “the navel of the moon.” This anatomical image has been supported by recent research which identifies the positions of the early lakes on the present site of Mexico City, showing a pattern similar to that perceived on the moon, in both cases resembling a rabbit. Aztec priests searched for a long time to locate an island on which to build a temple. The island, Tenochtitl´n, is in a position corresponding to the navel of the rabbit.