Perhaps it’s more than just a stone. The Piedra del Sol stands before us. It is not just a stone. It’s a story etched in basalt. Commonly called the Aztec Calendar, the Piedra del Sol is more than a calendar. It’s a synthesis of astronomical knowledge. The Mexica culture developed this knowledge. It dictated the order under which they lived.
This monolith measures 3.60 meters in diameter. It is 122 centimeters thick. The Piedra del Sol weighs around 24 tons. It was likely carved in 1479. Tlatoani Axayácatl was the sixth Mexica ruler at that time. The Piedra del Sol likely occupied a prominent place in the Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlán.
After the Spanish conquest, the stone was buried in 1559. The Spanish believed it was the work of the devil. They thought it exerted a bad influence on the townspeople. It remained underground until December 17, 1790. It was found during paving works in the Plaza Mayor of Mexico City. This is now the Zócalo.
For many years, the Piedra del Sol was kept outside the Templo Mayor. It faced outwards. It suffered deterioration from the elements. People threw food scraps and trash at it. Soldiers even shot at it.
In 1887, it was moved to the Museo Nacional on Calle de la Moneda. It was transferred to the Museo Nacional de Antropología in 1964. Today, it occupies the stellar place in the Sala Mexica.
In the center of the Piedra del Sol is the face of Tonatiuh. The Aztecs knew him as the fifth solar god. He was the leader of the sky. His tongue is represented by a knife. It is a symbol of the human sacrifice. The solar god demanded sacrifice to feed and be reborn each day. He needed it after his nocturnal journey through the underworld.
The second ring has four cross symbols. These represent the end of the four preceding ages. They are linked with the four elements. These are earth, water, air, and fire. They also represent the four cardinal points. Together, they represent the fifth, current age of Nahui Ollin Tonatiuh.
The third circle shows 20 figures. These symbolize the 20 days of the Mexica calendar. The outer circle is called the Milky Way. It represents the heavens. Two flaming serpents meet. They form a final circle. Their heads are down and spitting. They represent day and night. These are called Fire Serpents.
The Aztecs considered the sun god one of their main deities. They believed they were chosen for their subsistence. The Aztecs ensured the sun fulfilled its process. It rose at dawn and hid at sunset. They did this through their way of life. This sometimes included rituals. These rituals offered human sacrifices. The Piedra del Sol ensured the fulfillment of the future. It followed a constant and stable order.
So, as we stand before the Piedra del Sol, remember it is more than just a calendar. It is a testament to the Mexica’s understanding of time. It is a symbol of their devotion to the cosmos. It is a story carved in stone.