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Do Mayan calendar depicts the end of world?

Mayan civilization

By Raj’s VocalPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
Do Mayan calendar depicts the end of world?
Photo by Niranjan _ Photographs on Unsplash

The Mayan civilization flourished in Mesoamerica, which includes parts of modern-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador, from around 2000 BC to the 16th century AD. They developed a sophisticated society, with an advanced system of writing, complex mathematics, and impressive architectural feats.

One of the most notable contributions of the Mayans was their calendar system. The Mayan calendar is actually comprised of three separate calendars, each with its own unique characteristics and purpose.

The first calendar is the Haab, which is a solar calendar that is based on the length of the solar year. It consists of 365 days divided into 18 months of 20 days each, with an additional five-day period called the Wayeb. The Haab was used primarily for agricultural and seasonal purposes, as it allowed the Mayans to track the changing seasons and plan their farming activities accordingly.

The second calendar is the Tzolk'in, which is a ritual calendar that is used to track the cycles of the moon and the movements of the planets. It consists of 260 days, which is the length of time it takes for the moon to complete its full cycle around the earth. The Tzolk'in is divided into 20 periods of 13 days each, with each period associated with a different deity or energy.

The third and most famous calendar is the Long Count calendar, which is used to track longer periods of time. It is based on a cycle of 5,125 years, which is divided into smaller periods of 20 years called katuns, 360 years called baktuns, and so on. The Long Count calendar is believed to have been used primarily for astrological and prophetic purposes, as it allowed the Mayans to make predictions about future events based on the movements of the planets and stars.

The Mayan calendar system is incredibly complex and intricate, and it has been the subject of much fascination and speculation over the years. Nonetheless, the Mayan calendar remains a testament to the Mayans' incredible knowledge and understanding of time, and it continues to inspire curiosity and wonder in people around the world today.

According to some interpretations, the Mayan Long Count calendar was set to end on December 21, 2012, which led to fears and speculations that the world would end on that day.

However, it's important to note that this interpretation is not supported by any historical or archaeological evidence. The Mayans themselves never predicted that the world would end on December 21, 2012, and in fact, their calendar system is cyclical and does not have a fixed endpoint.

So, what does the end of the Mayan Long Count calendar actually signify? According to scholars and experts, it simply marks the end of a cycle and the beginning of a new one. In the Mayan cosmology, time is seen as a series of cycles, each with its own distinct characteristics and energies. The end of a cycle is a time of transition, and the beginning of a new cycle is a time of renewal and rebirth.

In the case of the Mayan Long Count calendar, the end of the current cycle marks the beginning of a new one that is believed to bring about significant changes and transformations. Some people interpret this as a spiritual or energetic shift, while others see it as a more concrete change in the world's political, social, or environmental systems.

Regardless of how one interprets the end of the Mayan Long Count calendar, it's important to understand that the Mayans did not predict the end of the world. Their calendar system is a testament to their incredible knowledge and understanding of time, and it continues to inspire curiosity and wonder in people around the world today.

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