The Mayan calendar and what really happens on 21st December 2012
There have been uncountable discussions around the world on the news, TV, radios, newspapers and blogs about 21st December 2012. Should the world really end today?
When traveling around Mexico in 2011, I fulfilled one of my dreams and visited as many archaeological sites there as possible. I studied Spanish philology and the big part of courses was about the history of all the Spanish-speaking countries, including Mexico. Ruins have always fascinated me very easily and also calmed me down at the same time. I even wrote my 100-page final thesis at the University about the Aztec religion which in some ways was similar to the Maya one. At least
And when spending days in Mexico, I talked to many specialists and tour guides about at least 14 ruins around the country. They all explained me how the ancient calendars work which only confirmed my knowledge about the pre-Columbian native inhabitans.
So when the bubble of the Mayan calendar misunderstanding and the end of the world started, it made me angry each time I heard it. Why were people sharing misleading news? Do you really need to scare others?
Today, the most famous Mayan ruins – Chichen Itza is visited by millions of people from around the world to see what will happen.
Those who know the Mayan calendar meaning went there to pray for the better era coming. The rest is just curious, I guess.
Chichen Itza pyramid
Today is the December solstice – called also winter solstice in the Northern hemisphare as it is the beginning of winter there, and summer solstice in the Southern hemisphare to mark the beginning of summer. Today the Sun reaches its most southerly declination.
And also today is the end of the Mayan calendar which is a system of 2 calendars – religious calendar Tzolkin of 260 days and solar calendar Haab’ of 365 days. The Mayans believed that the world consisted of cycles and a certain number of days had to occur before a new cycle could start. This was denominated by the so called Long Count calendar which the Mayans used to track the ”universal cycle” of 7,885 solar years, which is 2,880,000 days. They believed that the end of each universal cycle was marked byt the destruction of the universe which was recreated straight after. And this is what should happen today on the 21st December 2012 at 11:11 UTC.
”Along with those of the Aztecs, the Maya calendars are the best documented and most completely understood.” Wikipedia stated.
If the Mayan calendar is most completely understood, then I wonder why ”the end of the world” was not better explained on all the news.
Anyway, there are 27 reasons why I wish it was the end of the world today … the end of the old bad world!
Crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ Indian Visa Online:
I know, all the rumour is now gone :)
Indian Visa Online
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Nothing happened on 21st Dec, even all the rumor found dead suddenly :)
crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ Marc:
I know but people just didn’t bother to really find out what the Mayans said. And thanks for that :)
Marc
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It was just the end of a calendar cycle (the 13th baktun), the Mayans never said it was the end of the world…silly stuff.
I like your list of 27 things that should end. 27 is my lucky number. Stay lucky Alex!
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ Dima @ Dima’s Corner:
It can be a spiritual destruction ;)
Dima @ Dima's Corner
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“They believed that the end of each universal cycle was marked byt the destruction of the universe” – oh yea, nothing to worry about :)