Five suns

Definition

The term 'five suns' refers to a significant mythological concept in Mesoamerican cosmology, particularly among the Aztecs, which describes the creation and destruction of five different worlds or eras, each represented by a sun. Each sun embodies a different age of humanity, with its own unique characteristics and eventual destruction, reflecting the cyclical nature of time and existence in Mesoamerican belief systems.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. According to Aztec mythology, the first sun was called 'Tezcatlipoca' and was destroyed by jaguars, marking the end of that era.
2. The second sun, named 'Quetzalcoatl,' was said to have been destroyed by hurricanes.
3. The third sun, represented by 'Tlaloc,' was destroyed by a great flood, which wiped out all life on Earth.
4. The fourth sun, 'Chicomecoatl,' met its demise through fire, leaving behind only ashes.
5. The current age, or fifth sun, is called 'Tonatiuh,' who is associated with sacrifice and is believed to be sustained by human offerings to prevent its destruction.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of the five suns reflect Mesoamerican views on time and existence?
  • The concept of the five suns illustrates the Mesoamerican understanding of time as cyclical rather than linear. Each sun represents a distinct era in which humanity exists under different circumstances, highlighting themes of creation, destruction, and rebirth. This cyclical view emphasizes that each age has its purpose and is ultimately tied to the fate of humanity and the cosmos.
• Discuss the significance of Huitzilopochtli in relation to the five suns and Aztec cosmology.
  • Huitzilopochtli plays a crucial role in Aztec cosmology as he is closely linked to the fifth sun, Tonatiuh. As the god of war and sun, he represents strength and vitality but also demands sacrifices to ensure that this current age continues. His importance reflects the balance between divine favor and human responsibility within Mesoamerican beliefs about maintaining the cosmos.
• Evaluate how the myth of the five suns connects with other cultural narratives regarding creation and destruction across different societies.
  • The myth of the five suns resonates with various cultural narratives globally that explore themes of creation and destruction. Much like other traditions that depict cyclical patterns in nature—such as Hindu cosmology's cycles of creation (Brahma) and destruction (Shiva)—the five suns underscore a universal recognition of life's impermanence. By analyzing these narratives together, one can see how societies utilize similar motifs to explain existential concepts such as renewal, sacrifice, and the relationship between humans and their gods.

Related terms

Quetzalcoatl: A major deity in Mesoamerican cultures, often associated with wind, air, and learning, who played a role in the creation myths, including those about the five suns.

Tonalpohualli: The 260-day sacred calendar of the Aztecs that was used for divination and to track religious ceremonies, closely linked to their cosmological beliefs.

Huitzilopochtli: The Aztec god of war and the sun, who is central to their mythology and is believed to have played a significant role in the creation of the world and the five suns.