Xiuhpohualli

Definition

Xiuhpohualli is the 365-day solar calendar used by the Aztecs, which organized their agricultural and ritual cycles. This calendar was essential for scheduling ceremonies, festivals, and planting seasons, reflecting the importance of timekeeping in Aztec society. The xiuhpohualli was closely connected to religious beliefs, as it structured the annual cycle of events that aligned with their cosmology and agricultural practices.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The xiuhpohualli consisted of 18 months of 20 days each, plus an additional 5 'empty' days known as 'nemontemi' at the end of the year.
2. Each month of the xiuhpohualli was associated with specific deities and rituals, influencing how communities celebrated agricultural cycles.
3. The calendar was critical for agricultural planning, helping farmers determine when to plant and harvest crops such as maize.
4. Rituals and ceremonies held throughout the year were timed according to the xiuhpohualli, reinforcing social cohesion and religious devotion within Aztec society.
5. The connection between the xiuhpohualli and the Tonalpohualli reflected a dual approach to time, where one calendar focused on daily life and agriculture while the other on spiritual and divine matters.

Review Questions

• How did the structure of the xiuhpohualli influence agricultural practices in Aztec society?
  • The xiuhpohualli's organization into 18 months of 20 days each provided a systematic way for farmers to track agricultural cycles. This calendar helped determine optimal planting and harvesting times for crucial crops like maize. Additionally, specific rituals were scheduled around these agricultural milestones, reinforcing the importance of aligning farming practices with their religious beliefs.
• Discuss how the xiuhpohualli relates to Aztec religious beliefs and rituals.
  • The xiuhpohualli played a vital role in shaping Aztec religious practices. Each month was associated with specific gods and rituals that reinforced cultural values and community identity. Ceremonies conducted according to this calendar not only marked agricultural events but also honored deities, creating a connection between daily life, spirituality, and the cosmic order that governed their existence.
• Evaluate the significance of both the xiuhpohualli and Tonalpohualli in understanding Aztec civilization's worldview and social structure.
  • Both calendars highlight the complexity of Aztec civilization's approach to time and its influence on society. The xiuhpohualli provided a framework for agricultural life while fostering communal rituals, whereas the Tonalpohualli focused on personal destiny and spiritual matters. Together, they formed a comprehensive system that shaped everyday life, reinforced social hierarchies through rituals, and emphasized a worldview where agriculture and spirituality were deeply interconnected.

Related terms

Tonalpohualli: The 260-day ritual calendar used by the Aztecs, which was intertwined with the xiuhpohualli and focused on religious events, fortune-telling, and personal destiny.

Huey Teocalli: The main temple in Tenochtitlan dedicated to the gods, where many important ceremonies took place in accordance with the xiuhpohualli and Tonalpohualli.

Pyramids of the Sun and Moon: Two significant structures located in Teotihuacan that were aligned with astronomical events and played a role in the religious practices connected to the calendars.