Xiuhpohualli

Definition

Xiuhpohualli is the 365-day solar calendar used by the Aztecs, representing a crucial aspect of their understanding of time and its connection to their mythology. This calendar was divided into 18 months of 20 days each, plus an additional 5 'empty' days at the end, aligning the passage of time with agricultural cycles and religious rituals. The xiuhpohualli played a key role in Aztec culture, influencing their festivals, agricultural practices, and social organization.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The xiuhpohualli was essential for scheduling agricultural activities, such as planting and harvesting crops, allowing the Aztecs to synchronize their farming with seasonal changes.
2. Each month in the xiuhpohualli had specific festivals and ceremonies associated with it, reflecting the agricultural practices and religious beliefs of the Aztecs.
3. The empty days at the end of the xiuhpohualli were considered inauspicious and were often filled with rituals to purify the people before entering a new cycle.
4. The concept of time in the xiuhpohualli was cyclical, rather than linear, reflecting a worldview where time repeated itself in a pattern of renewal.
5. Understanding the xiuhpohualli was crucial for maintaining societal order, as it dictated not only agricultural activities but also military campaigns and political events.

Review Questions

• How did the structure of the xiuhpohualli influence Aztec agricultural practices?
  • The xiuhpohualli's structure directly influenced Aztec agricultural practices by defining specific times for planting and harvesting crops. With 18 months consisting of 20 days each, farmers were able to organize their activities around seasonal changes. This calendar not only ensured efficient farming but also aligned agricultural events with religious festivals that celebrated harvests or invoked favor from deities.
• Discuss the relationship between the xiuhpohualli and religious rituals in Aztec society.
  • The xiuhpohualli was closely tied to religious rituals in Aztec society, as each month was marked by specific ceremonies celebrating gods associated with agriculture, fertility, and cosmic order. These rituals were essential for maintaining harmony between humans and divine forces. By following this calendar, the Aztecs ensured that their rituals occurred at appropriate times, reinforcing their beliefs in cyclical time and the importance of appeasing their gods.
• Evaluate the significance of combining the xiuhpohualli with the tonalpohualli in understanding Aztec civilization.
  • Combining the xiuhpohualli with the tonalpohualli highlights the complexity of timekeeping in Aztec civilization and illustrates how these calendars influenced social organization and cultural practices. The interaction between these two systems created a unique calendrical round that governed both secular and sacred life. This duality allowed for a more nuanced understanding of time as both a practical tool for agriculture and a spiritual framework guiding religious observances, showcasing how integral these concepts were to maintaining societal order and cultural identity.

Related terms

Tonalpohualli: The 260-day ritual calendar used by the Aztecs, which was intertwined with the xiuhpohualli to create a combined system that governed both time and religious events.

Mictlantecuhtli: The Aztec god of the underworld and death, whose worship was connected to various rituals that were timed according to the xiuhpohualli calendar.

Calendrical Round: The 52-year cycle that results from the combination of the xiuhpohualli and the tonalpohualli, marking significant periods for the Aztecs when both calendars align.