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chained_bear commented on the word tlapalli
"Like other ancient Mexicans, the Aztecs prized bright colors, and for them red held special allure. Indeed, one of their words for red (tlapalli) was also the word for color in general. ... Although they had several red dyestuffs at their disposal--including weak forms of madder and another plant called achiote, or anatto--cochineal produced the most vibrant colors and was valued above all others.
"The Aztecs called cochineal nocheztli, or 'blood of the nopal'--a significant name, for the nopal cactus was central to Aztec identity and culture. They collected staggering amounts of the dyestuff as tribute from the chief centers of production."
Amy Butler Greenfield, A Perfect Red: Empire, Espionage, and the Quest for the Color of Desire (New York: Harper Collins, 2005), 40.
October 5, 2017