1. Examining the Aztec Calendar

2. Taking a Closer Look

3.  Define iconography and iconology.
 Identify the symbols on the Aztec Stone
Calendar.
 Analyze other works of art within its proper
context. (Reserved for our online discussion
assignment.)

4.  The calendar is like a
puzzle.
 Each component has
meaning.
 Learning what each part
means will help you figure
out what the calendar is all
about.
 By clicking on the following
link, you will have an
opportunity to zoom in on
the image on the left.
 http://www.t-a-d-
a.com/files/aztec-
calendar_symbols.jpg

5.  Look at the man at the
center of the calendar.
 It is Tonatiuh’s face
 But who is Tonatiuh?
▪ Sun God, Lord of Heaven
 The fact that their sun
God is at the center of
this calendar probably
means that this is a solar
calendar.
 Sun gods can be found
across cultures.

6.  Now look at the boxes
around the head.
 The box on the top right
is called
Ocelotonatiuh, Sun of
Jaguar.
 This seems to refer more
to a time in history than
a person.
 It is a time when the gods
created giants.
▪ Be mindful that the idea of
giants living on the earth can
be found all over the world.

7.  Now examine the box on
the bottom right.
 The figure inside the box
is called Atonatium, sun
of water.
 This also refers to a
period in history.
 A great flood covered
the earth.
 Again, flood stories can be
found all across the globe.

8.  The figure in the box on
the bottom left refers to
Quiauhtonatiuh, sun of
fire rain.
 This represents a time
when the earth was
covered in lava and
volcanic ash.
 Cultures that flourished
around volcanoes shared
stories similar to this
one.

9.  And finally, the figure in
the box on the top left is
called
Ehecatonatium, sun of
wind.
 Can you guess what
happened during this
time?
 You guessed it! The earth
experienced a great wind
which caused hurricanes
and tornadoes to torment
the inhabitants of the
earth.

10.  The four figures or suns around Tonatiuh
represent times in the earth’s history.
 Tonatiuh is considered the 5th sun, the one who
took control over creation after the sun of wind
was destroyed.
 When the Aztecs were alive, they believed that
they lived in the cosmic era controlled by
Tonatiuh.
 Although we will revisit this later on in the
lesson, human sacrifice to Tonatiuh was very
common.

11.  Go back to the page with the labeled stone.
 Read about 3 more symbols on the stone.

12. Definition

13.  Iconography
 Refers to the study of symbols
in art
 Iconology
 The interpretation of art within
its historical, cultural, social,
and even political context.
▪ For example, the Washington
Monument is in the shape of an
obelisk.
▪ Obelisks are often associated with
power and dominance and
masculine energy.
 How does this make sense within
the historical context of why the
Washington Monument was
built in the first place? Read
about this monument by clicking
on the link below.
▪ http://www.nps.gov/wamo/index.ht
m

14.  We will also talk about the physical
characteristics and styles of various artworks.
 For example, what kinds of tools did the Aztecs
use to carve the calendar stone? And what kinds
of carving techniques did they employ that
contributed to such detail?

15. In a nutshell!

16.  We will travel (very quickly I should say!) around the world
and talk about how different people viewed the world
through their creations.
 And what is just as exciting is the idea that the process of
interpretation is just that…a process.
 Scholars and researchers continue to unravel the great
mysteries that surround much of what we will explore in
this course.
 It should also be kept in mind that what we view as art was
not necessarily the intention of the original creators.
 For example, it is believed that the Aztec calendar was
displayed in temples and used as a ritualistic tool rather than a
calendar that we hang on our kitchen walls.

17.  Again, your opinion is going to be very
important during our discussions this
semester. But make sure that it is an
informed decision, based on what you
discover while reading and viewing material.

18.  Come join me on a
walk across the world
as we explore the
various cultures that
lived and are still alive!