Know what the Mayan Sun Stone consists of

The Mexican cosmogony is highly revered not only in this country, but throughout the world. The beliefs imposed by the Mayans are the richest that can be found in universal history. On this occasion, the Sun stone is the focus to give rise to this interesting article.

SUN STONE

History of the Sun Stone

It is a monolithic stone located in the Mesoamerican postclassic period. It is presumed that its first appearance took place between the years 1250 and 1521 BC For sure there is no knowledge whatsoever about the author of the Stone of the Sun, nor the exact time in which it was carved. However, historians have investigated that this object was going to be used for the construction of a fairly high stone mural by the Mexica in their last years of government.

According to the declarations of Diego Durán, it establishes that the Stone of the Sun is of great dimensions, with engravings of days, months and 21 weeks in its calendar. Meanwhile, Juan de Torquemada in one of his most famous texts indian monarchy illustrates Moctezuma Xocoyotzin as the cacique who ordered his subjects to bring a large rock that was hidden in Tenanitla to Tenochtitlán

Possibly, the bedrock was the product of a major eruption of the Xitle volcano, to the point of being moved from San Ángel to the town of Xochimilco. The name of Ezequiel Ordoñez is transcendental to understand the history of the Piedra del Sol, because he determines that the rock is olivine basalt. Thanks to an unusual weight, the stone was dragged approximately 22 km to Tenochtitlan.

During the period of conquest, this immense rock resided in the Templo Mayor. The relief always remained in its posterior area, that is, it was always exposed in this enclosure. When Alonso de Montúfar was in charge of the archbishopric in Mexico he ordered that the Stone of the Sun be buried in the place with the purpose that the parishioners retain in their memory all the sacrificial rites that took place in it.

By the eighteenth century, a series of changes in the law constituted new currents in New Spain, thanks to the mandate of Viceroy Juan Vicente de Güemes. Among those modifications, he requested the improvement of some streets and public spaces. The Plaza Mayor was one of the great beneficiaries of these architectural arrangements, with the inclusion of a drainage system and the leveling of its floor.

SUN STONE

On December 17, 1790, while the master builder at that time José Damián Ortiz de Castro discovered the Piedra del Sol when he was repairing the sidewalks of the Plaza Mayor. The rock was 60 meters from the great Virreinal Gate and 40cm at half a yard. To extract from the earth, a double pulley was needed thanks to the enormous weight of this Mayan stone that constitutes the cosmogony of the tribe.

Antonio de León y Gama went to the place to investigate a little more about the origin of the Stone of the Sun, as well as its meaning at the moment of being found. According to Chavero's opinion, it was this last character who ruled the stone as an essential part to understand the primitive Aztec calendar. Do you know all the Mayan myths? Do not stop doing it, because they are extraordinarily interesting.

Later, Gama filed a petition with José Uribe, a canon at that time, so that the Stone of the Sun would not be buried, thanks to the fact that this act is a pagan ritual, with a history of various burials. The researcher highlights the importance of finding monuments from the past in Italy, in order to rescue a little of its essence, allowing the enhancement of the Stone of the Sun.

A flourishing era in which architectural monuments abound allowed the Sun Stone to be attractive to the eyes of an entire public. The monolith was very successful after its discovery in 1790 with full promotion of its study to reveal all the details of its real origin. Gama even highlights that it is a stone with a great artistic sense, for which it immediately draws everyone's attention.

On July 2, 1791, the monolith became part of the Metropolitan Cathedral on one of its west sides. Alexander von Humboldt was in charge of studying in great detail the iconographic aspect of the Stone of the Sun. Another extraordinary event that links this rock is the intervention of the United States in Mexico, using the object as a target in the Plaza Mayor.

SUN STONE

Some years later, in 1855 to be exact, the Piedra del Sol was transferred to the Monolith Gallery, which is located on Calle Moneda, thanks to the request made by Jesús Sánchez, the director of the institution. Nine years later, it underwent another change of venue to form the Museum of Anthropology and History.

Description

Everything that lies in the Stone of the Sun is really interesting, because it accounts for a complex vision that the Mayans had of the world since their creation. Immediately, all the hidden details that this highly valued ancient monolith possesses. Are you aware of what are the aztec gods and its entirety? Probably this question is a constant that you can find out immediately.

center disk

Beyer and Caso are the first to have a concrete approach to the central disk. Both reflect the sun god Tonatiuh and a stone-based sacrificial knife. Not having his hands, this deity has claws that hold a human heart. In summary, this is the opinion of Alfonso Caso in relation to this area of ​​the stone:

«In the middle of the Stone of the Sun you can observe in detail the face of Tonatiuh. To the ends of it are the claws, which very well simulate the legs of any eagle. In them there is a human heart quite squeezed. The Aztecs' vision of the sun is very reasonable, because they compare its strength to the eagle that flies overhead in the morning.

Navarrete and Haydn in 1974 reject the declarations of Beyer and Coso to affirm that the deity that is in the center is Tlaltecuhtli. This deity is one of the most prominent in the entire Nahuatl population, with great worship by its population. In this case, two prominent eagle claws are usually seen in the company of a circle. In the rear area is another of the circles that, in total, are 4 in total.

From all the mentioned circles the fifth sun is born, which in the end is the origin of the Nahuatl man. The essential food of this primitive is corn with water. The legend of the Suns is able to explain the birth in greater detail.

the four eras

It is impossible to leave aside the four eras or the four suns that are in the middle of the representation. It is pertinent to remember that the fusion of these elements gives rise to the birth of the Fifth Sun, with a more current presence in culture.

  • In the upper right area is the figure of the 4 jaguar, whose reference reaches the year 676 years. The first Mexica era culminates in this period thanks to some monstrous beings that came out on the face of the earth to end the entire human race of that time.
  • For the left zone there is the 4th wind, with definitive dating up to the year 364, thanks to an event of winds, hurricanes and tornadoes that shook civilization. Citizens who do not belong to the earth he turned into monkeys.
  • Under the 4 wind is the circle of 4 rain, one of the most significant for the Mexican culture. On this occasion, a rain of fire in the year 312 transformed all citizens into turkeys.
  • Finally, there is the last circle, 4 water, the closest to the world as it is. The sinking by water ended an entire society in the year 676. The survivors barely suffered the transformation to fish.

As indicated, all eras have a definitive year that leads to a kind of catastrophe to close an important cycle in humanity. However, to see the exact year in each of the circles it is necessary to have an Aztec prism. Similarly, 676, 312, and 364 have one thing in common: each of those years are multiples of 52.

52 is a very important figure for the Mexica calendar, because it is the equivalent of a full century in their cosmogony. Having said that, there are two solar circles that have lasted 13 centuries: 4 jaguar and 4 water, one of the deadliest for humanity, with extraordinary events that ended resoundingly with two transcendental epochs. 364 is 7 centuries, while 213 years is 6. That said, the sum total of centuries in the Sun Stone is 13, 7, 6, and 13.

SUN STONE

The sum of each Aztec century separately gives a total of 39. If expert mathematicians look at this figure, they will realize that 39 is a multiple of 13, while two specific epochs (7+6) also add up to 13. In conclusion, this number will be implicit as part of the Mexica culture in the following way: 13-13-13. If this is not enough, the number 52 is also a multiple of 13, so this Sun Stone hides very extraordinary numerical data.

Cardinal points

Just as the Sun Stone has each solar circle, it also has the appearance of the cardinal points. For example, there is the north sign 1 Pedernal, sign 1 rain the south, east with xiuhuitzolli a heraldic sign and west, mono 7th century. In each of the cardinal points it is easy to find a considered group of signs, which account for the five weeks in a group of three months to form a year.

first ring

This ring is quite significant for Mexican culture, because it accounts for the 20 sacred days that were made official in the Tonalpohualli. The curious thing about the case is the combination in each of these days with 13 numbers, because such a composition gives rise to the years. Among its main curiosities, these days were recorded in a codex based on the skin of a deer, to keep evidence of everything that happened in the tonalámatl.

The structure of this calendar on its release to the world included a total of 260. As only 20 of them had a specific name, the task to be developed is the combination of all the names to form an amount that exceeds three digits, or in its default, a figure greater than 21. The basic number is and the final number, 13, in the form of points.

The Tonalpohualli has a particular characteristic, that only the intelligence of the Mexicas managed to think of: the calendar in thirteens (20 weeks of 13 days) of which 5 were destined for daily work and the rest for rest or introspection. The division of schedules consisted of 13 hours for the day and another 9 for the night (generally in which the body rests until sleeping). With that said, it's time to learn a little about baptized days:

Cipactli: This day is located within the East axis on the calendar. It is a very voracious creature that is half crocodile and half fish (although it is also seen as a kind of lizard). Its quality is to be hungry at every moment of the day, increasing its danger. Considered the only marine creature of its time, until Quetzalcoatl killed to start the creation of the universe. With the whole body of the monster they created the earth, with the help of other gods who participated in the process.

When the gods divided the body of cipactli, they created heaven and earth. The main problem of the gods was where to place the man in such an open space, without knowing what to do. Later, they took some trees to delimit the hemispheres. In the same way, they made the separation between the world of the living and the dead. Greek and Latin literature has mentioned with great emphasis all the Gods of Olympus, its importance and powers that you should undoubtedly know.

The first day of this calendar is supported by the deity Tonacatecuhtli, the chief of fertility or sustenance. He had a great part in creating the world, in addition to separating the earth from all the existing oceans. His name in the Aztec language means "Lord of our meats or lord of maintenance" for being the provider of well-being for the first men who inhabited the earth.

Ehecatl: He is the god of the wind according to the testimonies of the Mesoamerican culture. He has a great resemblance to Quetzalcōātl in terms of his intimidating serpent physiognomy that when looking at denotes incredible power. He also maintains a link with the birth of the universe, because thanks to his breath he attracted the rains to grow the crops. Besides, with this same action he makes the sun rise to disperse the rain that he has created with his powers.

Another of its qualities is to give life to everything that is in a state of rest, or inert bodies. He came to fall in love with a human named Mayah. As it was not reciprocated, he opened the opportunity for all human beings to awaken their capacity to love to recognize the girl's love. The love that this god felt for Mayah was expressed in the figure of a leafy tree. Finally, it is the second day located in the northern area of ​​the Piedra del Sol.

calli: The meaning of this word in the Mexica language is "house". The god who protects all the springs of this day is Tepeyollotl, the maximum creator of the mounts, mountains, hills, hills, echoes and tremors. In any pictographic representation he appears in the form of a jaguar. He denotes a sacrificial fountain for all the beasts that lived before the great flood, explained in the solar circle of 4 water.

It is the heart of the earth and every time an earthquake occurs, the sound of the earth's entrails is an exclamation from this god, to impose his strength. It is expressed in the north of the calendar, being the third day to highlight of this Mexica cosmogony.

Cuetzpalin: Whose meaning is "lizard" in the ancient Mexican language. The west for this fourth day is the south. Those born on this fourth day are well represented by the god Huehuecóyotl, the greatest exponent of the arts, ceremonial dances, protector of all adolescents and older adults. The most frequent figure of this god is that of a coyote who is dancing on his hands and feet with some cymbals that adorn his presence.

The culture has established that this coyote is a mocking image of all North American tribes who have been swindled. However, this character is an expert in performing choral songs and narrations. The negative side of him is the intrigue that he usually commits to cause rivalry between two sides, to the point of causing wars to satisfy his boredom.

The Mexicans have come to the agreement that the coyote, instead of being an evil character, turned out to be a source of cunning that all people born on this fourth day possess. Men of great beauty are similar to this god, thanks to a presence that he imposes at first contact. Among other conceptions, human wisdom supports these springs that have their protection.

coatlIt protects the same meaning of the serpent, very typical of the god Quetzalcóatl. The goddess in charge of representing this day is Chalchiuhtlicue, monarch of all lakes and great streams. It is the fifth day that the serpent rules and for this reason, she is in this list as the goddess who raised the liquid to all North American civilizations. The ancient inhabitants of Mexico entrusted her trips to this deity, to return with health and all the projects fulfilled.

She is the one responsible for lighting the fourth circle in the Stone of the Sun. While Chalchiuhtlicue ruled the earth, his entire reign was covered by water. Through a mighty deluge that washed away some lands, she stoned her Throne to become a goddess to be feared. She had the ability to transform many humans into fish.

Miquiztli: The sixth day of this calendar is at the north cardinal point in the Mexica cosmogony. Tecciztecatl, a snail with a superb personality. He had the opportunity to become the sun, but he barely managed to be the moon. This god is sheltered by the night sky.

Mazatlán: West is the cardinal point for this particular day on the calendar. The word means "deer" whose protective god is tlaloc, monarch of rains and storms. The culture indicates that it is venerated during the first month of the Aztec year, to sprinkle its crops.

Tochtli: The day of the rabbit is located in the south cardinal point according to the Tonalpohualli. Mayahuel is the goddess in charge of protecting all the newborns of this day. She is associated with other goddesses of her lineage, such as those who support women on their birthing beds. She helps provide the flora, especially all the crops that have had a difficult development due to inclement weather.

Atl: Water is the liquid that purifies all humanity that was born on this day ruled under the east meaning. Xiuhtecuhtli is an important deity in Mexican mythology, because with her fire or heat she is able to take care of all the people of this calendar. His appearance is that of an old man with a yellow or orange face.

Xiuhtecuhtli: It is known as the day of the dog, being Mictlantecuhtli, the lord of the dead in each of its regions, the main protector of this day. He controls the entire underworld and the shadow world in a good way. His hair is frizzy and his eyes are like a pair of stars.

ozomatli: The day of the monkey has its cardinal point in the west. Unlike the previous deity, Xochipilli is the prince of flowers, monarch of everything beautiful that resides in nature. It is the pleasure transformed into God, when men satisfy their desires in alcohol and other ceremonies.

There are other days that account for this important calendar with representation in the Stone of the Sun with the following expressions:

  • Malinalli.
  • Acatl.
  • ocelotl.
  • Cuauhtli.
  • cozcacuauhtli
  • Ollin.
  • Tecpatl.
  • Quiáhuitl.
  • Xochitl.

Second ring

This section of the Sun Stone contains several squares with a specific function. In each of them are the five days of the week. In addition, there are eight other divisions with a different angle that refers to the cardinal points.

Third ring

It is located in the lower part of the Stone of the Sun. On this occasion the god Xiuhcóatl is present, under the figure of several fire serpents that surround the monolith. All areas of the serpents are segmented to lift the god up to heaven, while each part is flanked by plenty of fire. If the curious look closely, all the snakes make the number 52, which is the official Aztec century that the Stone of the Sun indicates.

In the upper area of ​​the stone there are also traces of the serpents, but this time the trace is in the tails, until the date Matlactli. According to the history of Mexico, such date lies in the year 1479 as part of "New Fire".

Numismatics

The Stone of the Sun has a really important meaning for the Mexican culture. Its importance is so great that banks have used some figures for the obverse of their coins, such as the following cases:

  • The 5-centavo coin made of nickel between 1905 and 1914. From the Stone of the Sun he extracted the effect of the sun's rays, which gave a good colorful sense to the edges of the coin according to the impact of natural light.
  • The 5-cent coin made of nickel, which was in circulation between 1936 and 1942, maintained that effect of the sun's rays that was so popular in the first edition of this money.
  • The nickel 10-cent coin that circulated from 1936 to 1946 featured the shimmering effect of the sun through the rays. In this case, the effect is partial, but never total.
  • The 5-centavo coin made of stainless steel remained in circulation for 10 years. This time a kind of pentagon appears inscribed on the piece.
  • The stainless steel 10-cent coin that remained in circulation during the period 1992-2002 had a partial acceptance of the pentagon inscribed on the Sun Stone. In 2002 they did not discontinue the design of this coin, but they did considerably reduce its initial size.
  • The 20-cent coins between 1992 and 2002 had better construction materials such as bronze and aluminum combined. There was also the pentagon inscribed on the piece in an incomplete way. After 2002 the same event happened with the previous coins, but they changed bronze and aluminum for stainless steel.
  • 50-centavo coin made of bronze and aluminum that circulated between 1992-2002 with the inscription of the 13th on the Stone of the Sun (ácatl) with the pentagon inscribed on the piece. In 2002 the same thing happened as previous coins, with a reduction in its size.
  • Bimetallic 1-peso coin with a stainless steel ring, from 1992 it began its circulation with the ring resplendent through the rays.
  • The bimetallic 2-peso coin with a bronze-aluminum center and a stainless steel ring represents the parallel days on each of the edges.
  • The 5-peso coin is similar to the previous one in all aspects, both in construction and in years of construction. A significant difference is the allusion to snakes on the edges.
  • 10-peso coin built in its center with cupro-nickel material and the rest with bronze-aluminum. Inside you can see a little of the central disc of the Sun Stone.
  • 500-peso coin made entirely of gold for the 1986 World Cup. This time the complete disc appears.

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