Kukulcán’s show that the Maya created 900 years ago

Every year, around March 21, an old Mayan God returns to Earth. Specifically, Chichén Itzá. This complex of Mayan ruins It is one of the main pre -Hispanic archaeological sites in Yucatán and, among all constructions, ‘El Castillo’ takes the palm. It takes us fascinating Since the mid -nineteenth centurybut in addition to knowing him by that name, we can also refer to him as the temple of Kukulcán.

And, like every Spring equinox For centuries, that divine snake has been about to come alive to descend through the staircase and inaugurate the spring station.

Kukulcán. Although the mythological imaginary of the Maya was incorporated late, Kukulcán soon won a fundamental position in this pre -Hispanic culture. That is, if it were a minor deity, it would not have something as monumental as the pyramid that the Maya built in their honor in the twelfth century DC Thus, Kukulcán is the supreme god of the universe that not only represents wisdom, but also fertility and life.

The castle is so fascinating that it is still reason for study todaybut centuries after its construction, there are two moments every year in which their stairs are a footpasted again by a God.

The descent of the feathered snake. The structure has a very precise shape and orientation that respond to the advanced mathematical and architectural knowledge of the Maya. Kukulcán is also the God who represents fertility and life, something that can be associated with crops, and the visit of this God is a blessing for crops. The sowing of the Milpaspecifically.

Thus, the Maya built their temple very precisely so that each spring equinox, which occurs between March 21 every year, the representation of the snake again descended through the staircase of the temple. This 2025 se esteem which will occur between March 20 and 23.

A few hours before sunset, the large blocks of one of the sides project triangular shadows on the side of the staircase, forming a series of triangles that connect with the huge stone head of the snake, Kukulcán, located at the base of the pyramid.

Beyond the show. Apart from those huge mathematical, astronomical and architectural knowledge of the Mayan civilization, the descent of the feathered snake marks the beginning of spring and, therefore, the renewal of life. He also symbolized the union between heaven, earth and underworld and supposed a blessing for crops.

It lasts little, just about ten minutes and can also be seen during the autumn equinox, around September 22. In the end, it is the two periods that mark the beginning of the two agricultural cycles and it is Kukulcán who gives his blessing so that the crops are abundant.

A party. Apart from symbolism and tradition, Kukulcán’s descent by the staircase of Chichén Itzá is a Tourist stop mandatory if we are in the region. This Archaeological site It is, by far, The most tourist point of the Yucatan Peninsula (and from Mexico), with tens of thousands of visitors every year, and the show of the feathered snake is another opportunity to take advantage of pre -Hispanic construction.

Now, greenhouses and crop rotation allow us not to depend so much on Kukulcán’s good humor, but we have turned their two annual arrivals into a party that brings together thousands of visitors. It is a show not only because it is the construction of the pyramid, but because traditional Mayan shows and rituals are carried out with music and dance.

Chance? That the Maya had great knowledge in mathematics and astronomy is somewhat indisputable, but there are positions that question that all this of Kukulcán’s descent was the result of the conscious design of the Maya. The reason that is used in the re-evaluation Of this thought is that yes, the phenomenon and the play of lights is important during the equinoxes, but the same effect can be seen clearly for several weeks.

Rather, instead of marking with tremendous precision a few days of the year, the Maya would have darling Mark an agrarian cycle from mid -February to October. As much as it may be, and it had the meaning that we give now, the architectural value of the site and the architectural intention of representing that descent of the feathered snake is still unappealable.

But … it’s not unique. Now, although that of Chichén Itzá Castle is the most famous point in which to visualize these projections, it is not the only Mayan construction in which a similar phenomenon occurs. In it Temple of the Seven Dollsor temple of the sun, in both equinoxes we can see a solar rays show through the openings of the structure.

Also in the Mayapán pyramidbut the big difference between the pyramid of this city and that of Chichen Itzá is that there is no huge snake head connecting with the earth and that, in addition, it is not as well preserved as ‘the castle.’

Centuries after his arrival, and although now he has less work, surely Kukulcán feels honored because his pyramid not only stands up, but for having turned his figure into the protagonist of a party. And that is why he continues to descend for one of the main constructions of the Mayan culture.

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