As is common with many Native American cultures, the Aztecs viewed time as cyclical. However, they also acknowledged and used linear time. Cyclical time represented the year, and formed the basis of a "divinatory almanac". Whereas linear time was used to keep track of the power figures in command. "Linear time was measured in periods of fifty-two years and was strongly influenced by the belief in cyclically recurring events," (Pasztory, 58). "The Aztecs believed the universe to be regulated by a complex calendrical scheme, which consisted of two interlocking cycles- the solar year and the divinatory almanac," (58).
- the 365 day solar year was divided into 18 months of 20 days each (there were five extra days at the end of each year where everyone stayed inside and all work and play was forbidden. These days were thought to be a very unfavorable time because there was the chance the new year would not begin.)
- Each month was represented by its own deity and rituals
(mostly for the agricultural months and to crafts and professions).
- Their was also the divinatory almanac that was more important and
closely followed than the solar year calendar. "It was 260 days long
and it predicted the day to day fate of man. It consisted of 13
numbers and 20 day names ( such as crocodile or wind). The 13
numbers were added to the day signs to form 1-crocodile or 2-wind.
The combination of 1-crocodile would repeat only after 260 days
had passed. Each day name and each number was under the rule of
deity- or in the Aztec view, the days were burdens, carried by a
particular deity. Each day sign and number signified a good, bad, or
indifferent future," (60).
- The Aztecs believed that their fate was foretold from the name and sign combination of their naming day. For example, a woman born on the day 1-Flower would become an embroider, a person born on
1- Rabbit would become a drunkard. Certain amenities could be
made if someone was born on an unfortunate day- the naming
could be postponed to a more prosperous one.
- The calendar of the solar year and the divinatory almanac
overlapped every 52 years. Each year within a 52 year cycle would
begin with a single name such as Reed, Flintknife, Rabbit, or House.
At the point of overlap between one New Fire cycle and the next,
The priests would douse and destroy the previous cycles ritual fires
and begin a new one on the mountaintop near Culhuacan, in the
opened chest cavity of a sacraficed victim.
Resources: Pasztory, E. Aztec Art. Harry Abrams: New York,1983.
Websites to check out:
-http://www.brownpride.com/history/history.asp?a=aztecs/gods
-http://www.brownpride.com/history/history.asp?a=aztecs/sunstonedetails
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aztec_sun_stone
-http://www.lared-latina.com/sunstone.html
-http://www.crystalinks.com/aztecalendar.html
-http://library.thinkquest.org/27981/calendar.html -***has cool symbols to explain each day and its name
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