Highlighting Tiles - Aztec Calendars

The Aztecs attributed the invention of the Aztec Calendar to the God Quetzalcoatl who created the current world, the Fifth Sun, by using his own life blood to give new life to bones. The original Aztec Calendar was carved in the 15th Century as an elaborate monument to the sun. It was initially used as a sacrificial altar to the cult of Tonatiuh, God of the sun, whose face is at the center, hence also being known as ‘Sun Stone’. The Sun Stone symbolizes a celebration for the birth of the world where forces of creation and destruction play equal roles. Aztec Calendars also set out mathematical formulas: the 365- day ‘Xiupohualli’ calendar cycle or the count of the days and the 260-day ritual cycle ‘Tonalpohualli’ or the count of destiny. Each of the carvings has a significance relating to the four cardinal directions and a wealth of creatures and significant aspects of life such as movement, wind and home. Community leaders and priests consulted the Aztec Calendar before engaging in any activity whether it was farming, warfare, religion or commerce.