Rituals (Web project)

The xiuhpohualli was a historical calendar: counting events in civilian life. It consisted of 18 months with 20 days each. For twelve months, is honoring the gods of vegetation and earth, and keeps the rain, particularly Tlaloc and his wife Chalchiuhtlicue. During these months, sacrificed to women (fertility), and young children whose tears wore rain. Sacrifice also to prisoners who skinned. The six other months honored to divinities-fire or war, as Huitzilopochtli.

The century Aztec lasted 52 years. At the end of this cycle time, the Aztecs lived full of anguish: the world could be condemned to disappear if the sun does not rise again. Thus, moving from one cycle to another 52 years was extremely dangerous and to encourage the sun is used to practice a ritual special: fire again.

At dusk, priests went to temple located at the summit of Cerro de la Estrella and hoped the appearance of the Pleiades. Then a fire was lit again in the chest of a slaughtered. Then, priests turned on torches and they went lighting altars. So could wake up the sun again.