Art 263
Option #3

Due: March 27

Value:   Understanding the Aztec and Mayan world view and beliefs a little better by exploring how their calendar systems were integrated into
 the spiritual beliefs and daily life of the people.  You will be using your own birthdate as a starting point for this exploration.

Instructions:

Complete the following excerise, making certain that your answers (except for the drawings of the day signs) are typed.

First:      Visit the "Aztec Calendar" website provided on your course web page.  Read "Introduction to the Aztec Calendar."   Explain briefly (in a paragraph) how the Aztecs' two coordinating calendars "worked".

Next:     Using the converter provided at the bottom of the website's opening page, determine what your birthdate is in the Aztec Tonalpohualli.

Then:      Explore this date and its significance in the calendar.  Draw your birthdate (DO NOT SIMPLY PRINT IT OUT--you learn by making the forms yourself).  Using the website link provided in  the site for information, explain the meanings associated with the symbol and number that make up your day sign.  To which deity is your day sign dedicated?  What are some of the  characteristics of  this deity?  What are the meanings associated with your solar year?  Your trecena?  Which deities protect/rule your solar year and trecena? DO NOT SIMPLY COPY STRAIGHT FROM THE WEBSITE--THAT, OF COURSE, WOULD BE PLAGIARISM. Digest what you are reading and add your own reactions/responses to what you have learned.

Then:       Go to the "Mayan Calendar" website. Use the converter provided to find the Year Bearer, the day (Tzolkin) and month sign (HAAB) of your birthday in the Mayan calendar. You can read more about the calendar her and how it relates to your birthday (see "Year Bearers" and "Maya Birthday Divination"). Now, visit the "Maya Calendar: the Maya Astronomy Page" website.   What does your and your month signs mean?  Now, go to the "The Maya Calendar" website.  Link to "the Calendric Count", then to "Calendar Description and Coordination," then to "The Components."  Find your day and month signs and draw them.

Finally:    What was the most interesting thing you learned from this excericise? How does the Aztec and Mayan understanding of the significance of  particular days compare with your own culture?