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Aztec Calendar

The mysterious Aztec calendar

The Aztec calendar is something that has had scientists, archeologists, and historians at times baffled, puzzled, and sometimes downright frustrated. The Aztec calendar is by no means easy to read, but they have finally cracked the code to this once ancient mystery. The Aztec calendar is based on first the year, or xiuitl (Nahuatl, the language of the Mexica or Aztecs) and then on their 13 day week, and lastly the number of the day, or tonalli. The Aztec calendar stone is actually three calendars in one. The calendar they call xiuhpoalli, has 365 days. This calendar is used for the purpose of keeping track of the rituals in regard to the seasons. It's often called the agricultural calendar. The next calendar is the tonalpoualli, or sacred calendar. This one keeps track of all of the gods that the Aztecs worshipped. They had to make time out of the year for each one of them, and this Aztec calendar was the one to help out with that.

What is the meaning of the Aztec calendar, you might ask. Well, the Aztec calendar was probably the most important thing in their existence. It told them when to plant the crops, when to harvest them, what gods to worship on which day, and a host of other day to day tasks. All the cosmic cycles they have observed are also written in this sun stone. An awesome replica of the Aztec sun stone calendar is on display at the museum of anthropology in Mexico City, DF â€" you should go see it! It's absolutely impressive.