The Intriguing Aztec Calendar: Insights and Interpretations
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Chapter 1: Understanding the Aztec Calendar
The Aztec calendar that many are familiar with is known as the Xiuhpohualli, a circular disc adorned with concentric rings of symbols. This calendar is derived from the Aztec sun stone, an ancient artifact unearthed in Mexico City in 1790.
The Xiuhpohualli chronicles time through three interlinked measures:
- 365 Days: This calendar follows a solar year of 365 days, reflecting various Mesoamerican religious beliefs and agricultural cycles.
- 18 Months: The year is segmented into 18 months, each consisting of 20 days (termed veintenas). Additionally, five extra days, referred to as nemontemi or "wasted days," occur outside the veintenas.
- 5 Worlds of the Sun: The calendar features four squares and three concentric rings surrounding a central figure, symbolizing the epochs known as the "5 worlds of the sun."
In this article, we will explore the meanings and implications of the Aztec calendar, including:
- Symbols of the Aztec Calendar
- Existence of a Second Aztec Calendar
- Techniques for Reading the Aztec Calendar
- Current Location of the Aztec Sun Stone
- The Mesoamerican Long Count Calendar
- Other Ancient Calendars
The Aztec Empire was established and governed by the Mexica, indigenous Nahuatl speakers from the Valley of Mexico.
Meaning of the Aztec Calendar Symbols
The calendar's face is adorned with numerous symbolic glyphs, most of which have been deciphered by specialists in Pre-Columbian studies. However, due to the age of the sun stone, definitive interpretations remain elusive. Below are some widely accepted meanings of its key components.
Central Face: At the core of the stone lies a face glyph believed to represent Tlaltecuhtli, the Earth. This glyph is occasionally interpreted as Tonatiu, the sun deity. His tongue, resembling a sacrificial dagger, symbolizes a demand for offerings, while his clawed hands grasp what may be human hearts. Tlaltecuhtli signifies the current solar epoch known as the Earthquake Sun (Nahui-Ollin). According to Mesoamerican prophecy, if the gods grow displeased, earthquakes will obliterate the world, and monstrous celestial beings called Tzitzimimeh will consume all life.
Surrounding Squares: Encircling the central figure are square glyphs representing four cycles of the sun related to humanity's destruction and renewal.
- Top Right: The Jaguar Sun (Nahui Ocelotl) indicates the end of the first epoch when jaguars devoured all earth’s inhabitants, who were believed to be gigantic primitive humanoids dwelling in caves.
- Top Left: Wind Sun (Nahui Ehecatl) signifies the conclusion of the second epoch, marked by agricultural development, during which hurricanes ravaged the land, transforming humans into monkeys.
- Bottom Left: Rain Sun (Nahui Quiyahuitl) denotes the end of the third epoch, characterized by elaborate pyramid construction, where volcanic eruptions caused humans to turn into turkeys.
- Bottom Right: Water Sun (Nahui Atl) marks the end of the fourth epoch, associated with ocean navigation, resulting in a flood that transformed humans into fish, save for one couple who became dogs.
Concentric Rings: The rings surrounding the central figures have distinct meanings:
- First Ring: Displays animal symbols representing the 20 days of the 18 months, plus the five nemontemi days.
- Second Ring: Contains small square sections, each with five points, divided by eight angles, possibly symbolizing the sun's rays at cardinal points.
- Third Ring: Dominated by two fire serpents tied together, suggesting a rivalry between deities involved in the creation narrative of the current epoch.
- Fourth Ring: The outermost ring features dots and lines that may symbolize stars and blades.
In Nahuatl, the Aztec sun stone is called Teoilhuicatlapaluaztli-Ollin Tonalmachiotl, translating to the "Great and Venerable Mechanism of the Universe."
A Second Aztec Calendar?
The Xiuhpohualli is not the sole calendar of the Aztecs; it works in tandem with a second calendar, the Tonalpohualli. This ritual calendar comprises 260 days and was exclusively used by priests to schedule sacred events. The two calendars align every 52 years, marked by ritual fire sacrifices of Aztec warriors, symbolizing the "relighting" of the sun and the commencement of a new solar cycle.
How to Interpret the Aztec Calendar
Understanding the Aztec calendar, much like its Mayan counterpart, may not provide practical information for today's global citizens. However, deciphering its intricate glyphs offers a captivating glimpse into historical studies. Instead of delving into complex interpretations here, I recommend the informative video from the Ancient Americas YouTube channel, dedicated to Pre-Colombian history.
This video also explores the Mesoamerican Long Count Calendar, which identifies dates by counting the days elapsed since a mythical creation date established by the Mayans.
Where Is the Aztec Sun Stone Today?
Following the Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlan in 1521, the sun stone reportedly fell over a causeway leading to the city. After the conquest, the Spanish relocated the stone a few hundred meters south, positioning it upward near the Templo Mayor and Viceregal Palace. However, between 1551 and 1572, religious officials decided the image was detrimental to citizens, resulting in the stone being buried face down within the sacred precinct of Mexico-Tenochtitlan.
It wasn't until December 17, 1790, that the stone was rediscovered during restoration work on the Mexico City Cathedral. Today, the sun stone can be found at the Museo Nacional de Antropología (National Museum of Anthropology) in Mexico City.
Is the Aztec sun stone merely a calendar or a representation of the Aztec deities?
The actual sun stone is a sculptural piece located in Teotihuacan, illustrating the three separate "wheels" of the daily calendar. These wheels rotated according to a pattern calculated by the priests responsible for the daily, holy, and agricultural calendars.
Mesoamerican Long Count Calendar
Another ancient timekeeping method is the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar. According to Dr. Diane Davies from the Institute of Archaeology at University College London, this astronomical calendar counts the days since the creation date in Mayan mythology and is divided into several units:
- K'in: 1 day
- Winal: 20 days (20 K'ins)
- Tun: 360 days (18 Winals)
- K'atun: 7,200 days (20 Tuns)
- Bak'tun: 144,000 days (20 K'atuns)
Interpreting this calendar is feasible, although it may involve intricate calculations.
Deciphering a Date:
For example, the modern date of May 1, 2023, can be expressed as: 13.0.10.9.3.
Calculation Breakdown:
- 13 B'aktun: 13 x 144,000 days = 1,872,000 days
- 0 K'atun: 0 x 7,200 days = 0 days
- 10 Tun: 10 x 360 days = 3,600 days
- 9 Winal: 9 x 20 days = 180 days
- 3 K'in: 3 x 1 day = 3 days
Total Calculation:
(13 × 144,000) + (0 × 7,200) + (10 × 360) + (9 × 20) + (3 × 1) = 1,875,783 days
Exploring More Ancient Calendars
Beyond the Xiuhpohualli, Tonalpohualli, and Long Count calendars, the Mesoamericans (especially the Mayans) utilized at least two additional calendars that have withstood the test of time.
- Mayan Haab' Calendar: This civil calendar repeated annually, tracking planting seasons and festivities, comprising 18 months of 20 days plus an additional five days, totaling 365 days.
- Tzolkʼin Calendar: A strictly religious calendar utilized by priests, featuring 20 months of 13 days, summing up to 260 days for marking sacred events. The months and days operated together, akin to interlocking gears, to maintain accurate tracking.
Sources and Further Reading
- Teoilhuicatlapaluaztli Ollin Tonalmachiotl, El Gran y Venerable Mecanismo del Universo.
- Aztec calendar — sun stone. Crystalinks.
- Cartwright, M. (2023). Sun Stone. World History Encyclopedia.
- Contributor. (2020). How to read an aztec calendar. Synonym.
- Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Aztec calendar.
- Kerr, J., & León y Gama, A. de. (2007). Exploring the early Americas the heavens and time. Library of Congress.
- Khan Academy. The Mesoamerican calendar (article).
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©Lela Cargill, American Scientist and Journalist 2024