Not a celebration, but rituals: how the Aztecs and Mayans welcomed the New Year.

Mesoamerican cultures also celebrated the New Year with unique traditions and beliefs. Although their calendars bore similarities to modern systems, the celebrations reflected cultural values, rituals, and a connection to the cosmos, writes Greek Reporter.

The Aztecs and Maya developed calendars with a 365-day year, similar to the contemporary Gregorian calendar, but they also utilized a 260-day ritual calendar. These systems not only shaped their understanding of time but also influenced their practices related to holidays and spiritual ceremonies.

Aztec New Year Traditions

The Aztecs marked the end of their calendar year through Nemontemi, a period characterized by significant caution. This transition, encompassing five "empty days," was considered a time of misfortune. To mitigate potential dangers, the Aztecs engaged in ritual fasting, purification, and refrained from major activities.

March 11 on the modern Gregorian calendar was celebrated as the Aztec New Year, known as "Yancuic Xihuitl." The festivities began with the blowing of conch shells, a practice that has persisted among Mexican communities.

Aztec priests played a crucial role, conducting renewal ceremonies in honor of deities such as Tlaloc, the rain god, and Huitzilopochtli, the sun and war god. These rituals aimed to ensure fertility, agricultural prosperity, and cosmic balance.

The emphasis on appeasing the gods during this time reflected the Aztecs' belief in the cyclical nature of time and their efforts to avoid cosmic disruptions. Ritual practices, rather than large celebrations, characterized their New Year observance.

Maya New Year Celebration

For the Maya, the transition between years also revolved around a five-day period of misfortune known as Waeb. This time, coinciding with the end of the 365-day calendar, was marked by prayers, sacrifices, and reflection. Traveling and making important decisions were avoided to prevent attracting misfortune.

On the eve of the New Year, known as "Sitting Pop," divination took center stage. Maya priests offered predictions for cities, communities, and individuals, guiding preparations for the upcoming year. Rituals included offerings of incense and ceremonial dances around bonfires to gain the favor of the gods.

The New Year, or 1 Pop, signified a new beginning. Residents performed symbolic actions: cleaning their homes, disposing of old items, and renewing personal altars. Priests replaced the statues of patron deities in temples, reflecting a cyclical view of time and a commitment to cosmic harmony.

Both civilizations, despite their differences, shared a profound reverence for calendars and their role in shaping spiritual and everyday life. Their traditions, deeply intertwined with beliefs, showcase the rich cultural heritage of Mesoamerica.

Additionally, we shared about an artifact from the parable of the ten virgins discovered near the biblical mountain in Jerusalem.