What was different about the Aztec calendars from ours?
The Aztec civilization, which flourished in Central Mexico from the 14th to the 16th century, had a rich and intricate culture that included a highly developed system of calendars. These calendars were vastly different from the Gregorian calendar that we use today, reflecting the unique beliefs, rituals, and societal structures of the Aztecs. This article delves into the distinctive features of the Aztec calendars and compares them to our current calendar system.
Multiple Calendars with Different Purposes
One of the most striking differences between the Aztec calendars and our own is the number of calendars they used. The Aztecs had three main calendars: the solar calendar, the sacred calendar, and the agricultural calendar. Each calendar served a different purpose and was based on different time cycles.
The solar calendar, known as the xiuhpohualli, was a 365-day calendar that closely followed the solar year. It was used for agricultural purposes and to keep track of the passage of time. The sacred calendar, or tonalpohualli, was a 260-day calendar based on a combination of numbers and symbols, known as trecenas. This calendar was used for religious rituals and divination, and it was believed to be a cycle of life and death.
The agricultural calendar, or xihuitl, was a 365-day cycle that was divided into 18 months of 20 days each, plus five days known as “nameless days.” This calendar was used for agricultural activities and was closely tied to the natural world.
Religious Significance and Rituals
The Aztec calendars held immense religious significance, as they were integral to the civilization’s religious practices. The trecenas of the sacred calendar were associated with specific deities and were used to determine the dates of important rituals and ceremonies.
For example, the first trecena was associated with the god Tezcatlipoca, the smoking mirror, and was considered a time of war and conflict. The Aztecs believed that the gods were closely connected to the calendar and that the proper observance of rituals and ceremonies was essential for maintaining the balance of the universe.
In contrast, our Gregorian calendar is primarily a civil calendar, used for administrative, commercial, and social purposes. While it does have religious significance in some Christian countries, it is not as deeply intertwined with religious beliefs and practices as the Aztec calendars.
Timekeeping and Divination
The Aztec calendars were not only used for religious purposes but also for divination and predicting the future. The combination of numbers and symbols in the sacred calendar allowed the Aztecs to perform complex calculations and predict celestial events, such as eclipses and comets.
In contrast, our Gregorian calendar is based on a more straightforward system of timekeeping, with months and years based on the solar year. While we do use various methods for divination and predicting the future, they are not as deeply rooted in our calendar system as they were in the Aztec civilization.
Conclusion
In summary, the Aztec calendars were significantly different from our own in terms of their number, purpose, religious significance, and use in divination. These calendars were a reflection of the Aztec civilization’s unique culture, beliefs, and practices. While the Gregorian calendar has become the standard for timekeeping worldwide, the Aztec calendars continue to be a fascinating subject of study for historians and anthropologists, offering valuable insights into the past.
