Sunrise in one's life depicts the heralding of a new beginning. May it be the clock striking midnight to mark one's birthday or the day of a special occasion, like an anniversary or a wedding. Sunrise brings hope and as a very popular Indian saying goes, "Every night is followed by sunrise", which means that every period of darkness and trouble is followed by a sunrise, which will bring a solution and a time to celebrate.
Sunrise and the Sun Gods have played important roles for centuries through the mythologies of various cultures. The Greek, Chinese, Indians, Egyptians and many more have given the Sun much importance, so let's look at the impact the Sun has had on mankind for centuries depicting its importance to all.
Chinese Mythology
The Chinese believed that there were ten Suns and one used to arrive as the other one used to leave to bathe. There are many versions of this story, but this is how the most popular version goes. This is from the chapter called "The Systems of the Heavens" by Huai-nan Tzu, with a little addition by other scholars of that time. The ten suns used to bathe in the T'iang Valley where the Leaning Mulberry (the tree) stood tall. The nine suns stayed on its lower branches whilst the tenth sun resided on its top branch. Another version goes that in the middle of a great wasteland, there was a mountain called Neih-yao Chun-ti, next to which was the Yang Valley. Next to the Yang Valley was the Leaning Mulberry, which was an old three hundred leagues tall tree with mustard plant leaves. On this tree one sun arrived, borne by a crow (sometimes three legged) as the other sun left. The whole process of sunrise to sunset from Yang (sunny) Valley or Yu Yuans's riverbank to Meng Valley covers Nine Provinces and Seven halts, depicting times during the day.
Greek Mythology
In Greek mythology, Helios personified the sun. The Greek poet Homer often called him only the Titan or Hyperion. He wrote that Helios was the son of the Titans Hyperion and Theia and described him as the brother of the Selene, the goddess of the moon, and of Eos, the goddess of dawn. This is also what is believed to have given birth to the common Greek words for the sun, moon and dawn. Helios was believed to be a handsome god who had a crown of a shining aureole of the sun and he drove the chariot of the sun every day across the sky to the earth after circling Oceanus and then after passing the world ocean, he returned East at night time. It was believed that the chariot of the sun was drawn by solar steeds or fire darting steeds that were later named Phlegon, Aeos, Pyrios and Aethon.
Egyptian Mythology
The God of the sun in ancient Egypt was called Ra (pronounced Rah or sometimes even as Re). He became a major deity by the fifth dynasty and was primarily identified as the mid day sun god, as there were other deities that depicted other positions of the sun. Ra changed over time and soon came to be recognised as the god of all the times of the day. The cult of Ra was based from Heliopolis, which means the City of the Sun. Ra was also later merged with another god, Horus and was called Re-Horakhty. He was believed to command the earth, sky and the underworld. He is associated with the Falcon, which was the symbol of the sun deities and is represented by the sun disc as his symbol.
As said above, Sunrise and the Sun stand for a lot in everyone's life and in today's world you can be unique and gift someone a beautiful sunrise photo to mark a special occasion or to remind them that there is still hope in life. If you are interested, then you can get beautiful photographs from Every Sunrise. For more info about the company and its products, please click here: http://www.everysunrise.com.
http://www.everysunrise.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_R_Simpson
Monday, August 10, 2009
A Quick Guide to Greek Mythology
The Greeks believed in many Gods (and many generations of Gods) and believed they had both supernatural powers and human weaknesses. Probably the greatest beings in Greek Mythology are the twelve Olympian Gods who took their name from the place of their dwelling - Mount Olympus.
Zeus
The ruler of the Olympian Gods and God of the sky, thunder and justice. His weapon is a thunderbolt. Married to Hera.
Poseidon
The God of the sea, earthquakes and horses. His weapon is a trident and he is second in power to Zeus.
Hades
God of the underworld and wealth. Lord of the dead.
Hestia
Goddess of the hearth and home. The sister of Zeus.
Hera
The Goddess of women, marriage and childbirth. The reigning female Goddess of Olympia because she was married to Zeus.
Aris
The God of war. The son of Zeus and Hera.
Athena
The Goddess of wisdom, reason, intelligent activity, arts and literature. A daughter of Zeus.
Apollo
The God of the sun, light, healing, medicine, music, poetry, prophecy, archery and truth. Son of Zeus and Leto and twin brother of Artemis
Aphrodite
The Goddess of love, desire, beauty and fertility.
Hermes
The fastest of the Gods and messenger to all the other Gods. God of commerce, thieves, trade and travellers. The son of Zeus and Maia.
Artemis
Goddess of chastity, virginity, childbirth, the hunt, the forest, the moon and the natural environment. The daughter of Zeus and Leto and the twin sister of Apollo.
Hephaestus
The God of fire and the forge. The son of Zeus and Hera and husband of Aphrodite.
Daedalus and Icarus
Daedalus was a famous sculptor and builder who built a great maze called "The Labyrinth" under the Palace of Knossos in Crete in which King Minos kept a monster: half man half bull (the Minotaur) in. The structure consisted of such a complicated tangle that it was impossible to get out of it. After the maze was complete, King Minos did not want Daedalus to be able to tell it's secret to anyone else, so he imprisoned him and his only son Icarus in a tall tower. Daedalus and Icarus did not like being prisoners, so started trying to think of ways to escape. After observing the birds from the windows of the tower, Deadalus decided to make wings out of bird feathers and wax for him and his son so they may fly away and be free. When tying the wings to his son Daedalus warned his son not to fly too close to the sea as the damp from the waves would wet the feathers making them too burdensome to fly with and not to fly too high in the sky as the sun would melt the wax. Icarus was so fascinated with the flight that he forgot about his father's warnings and started to soar higher and higher. As he climbed into the sky his wings started to melt, when Icarus realised what was happening he tried to fly lower again but it was too late the wings broke apart, he fell into the water and drowned.
Theseus and Ariadne
King Minos (the King of Crete) had a powerful navy of which all of Greece was afraid. He agreed with King Aegues (of Athens) that he would not attack Athens if the people of Athens agreed to send seven boys and seven girls as food for the Minotaur every year. When it became time to send the boys and girls to Crete, Prince Theseus (the son of King Aegeus) wanted to save the children and all those who may be sent in the future, so decided he would go with them to kill the minotaur. King Aegeus begged his son not to go as he was afraid his son would be devoured by the minotaur too. But Theseus was insistent and he set sail for Crete in a boat with a black sail, promising his father that the boats sail would be changed to a white one to announce if he had won and lived to come home. When they arrived in Crete they were met by King Minos and his daughter Ariadne. Princess Ariadne immediately fell in love with Prince Theseus and decided to help him with his mission. That night she gave to Theseus a sword and a ball of thread and instructed him to tie the ball of string to the door of the labyrinth where the minotaur lived and unroll it as he went through the maze so he could use it to find his was back out again once he had killed the minotaur with the sword. Prince Theseus did exactly as instructed and after he found the minotaur a big battle was fought which Theseus won by slaying the minotaur and was able to leave the labyrinth using the ball of thread to guide him.
Pandora's Box
According to greek mythology Pandora was the first woman on earth and was created by the God Zeus in an act of revenge against man. He instructed Hephaestus to create a beautiful woman who the Gods endowed with every charm (together with curiosity and deceit) and sent her to earth as a present for Epimetheus, who fell in love with her and they married. As a wedding gift Zeus sent Pandora a beautiful box which he told her never to open and gave the key for the box to Epimetheus. Over time Pandora became very curious about the contents of the box and several times begged Epimetheus to let her open it, but each time he said 'No'. Finally one day when Epimetheus was asleep Pandora stole the key and opened the box. As she lifted the lid to take a peek inside terrible things flew out of the box, every kind of disaster man had never know before: disease, despair, malice, greed, hatred, violence, cruelty and war. Unable to catch all these things before they flew away Pandora slammed down the lid and turned the key, keeping only the spirit of hope inside which Zeus had included to help keep people going when the nasty things got them down.
For holidays in Greece and Greece holidays, visit http://www.passporttogreece.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Edwards
Zeus
The ruler of the Olympian Gods and God of the sky, thunder and justice. His weapon is a thunderbolt. Married to Hera.
Poseidon
The God of the sea, earthquakes and horses. His weapon is a trident and he is second in power to Zeus.
Hades
God of the underworld and wealth. Lord of the dead.
Hestia
Goddess of the hearth and home. The sister of Zeus.
Hera
The Goddess of women, marriage and childbirth. The reigning female Goddess of Olympia because she was married to Zeus.
Aris
The God of war. The son of Zeus and Hera.
Athena
The Goddess of wisdom, reason, intelligent activity, arts and literature. A daughter of Zeus.
Apollo
The God of the sun, light, healing, medicine, music, poetry, prophecy, archery and truth. Son of Zeus and Leto and twin brother of Artemis
Aphrodite
The Goddess of love, desire, beauty and fertility.
Hermes
The fastest of the Gods and messenger to all the other Gods. God of commerce, thieves, trade and travellers. The son of Zeus and Maia.
Artemis
Goddess of chastity, virginity, childbirth, the hunt, the forest, the moon and the natural environment. The daughter of Zeus and Leto and the twin sister of Apollo.
Hephaestus
The God of fire and the forge. The son of Zeus and Hera and husband of Aphrodite.
Daedalus and Icarus
Daedalus was a famous sculptor and builder who built a great maze called "The Labyrinth" under the Palace of Knossos in Crete in which King Minos kept a monster: half man half bull (the Minotaur) in. The structure consisted of such a complicated tangle that it was impossible to get out of it. After the maze was complete, King Minos did not want Daedalus to be able to tell it's secret to anyone else, so he imprisoned him and his only son Icarus in a tall tower. Daedalus and Icarus did not like being prisoners, so started trying to think of ways to escape. After observing the birds from the windows of the tower, Deadalus decided to make wings out of bird feathers and wax for him and his son so they may fly away and be free. When tying the wings to his son Daedalus warned his son not to fly too close to the sea as the damp from the waves would wet the feathers making them too burdensome to fly with and not to fly too high in the sky as the sun would melt the wax. Icarus was so fascinated with the flight that he forgot about his father's warnings and started to soar higher and higher. As he climbed into the sky his wings started to melt, when Icarus realised what was happening he tried to fly lower again but it was too late the wings broke apart, he fell into the water and drowned.
Theseus and Ariadne
King Minos (the King of Crete) had a powerful navy of which all of Greece was afraid. He agreed with King Aegues (of Athens) that he would not attack Athens if the people of Athens agreed to send seven boys and seven girls as food for the Minotaur every year. When it became time to send the boys and girls to Crete, Prince Theseus (the son of King Aegeus) wanted to save the children and all those who may be sent in the future, so decided he would go with them to kill the minotaur. King Aegeus begged his son not to go as he was afraid his son would be devoured by the minotaur too. But Theseus was insistent and he set sail for Crete in a boat with a black sail, promising his father that the boats sail would be changed to a white one to announce if he had won and lived to come home. When they arrived in Crete they were met by King Minos and his daughter Ariadne. Princess Ariadne immediately fell in love with Prince Theseus and decided to help him with his mission. That night she gave to Theseus a sword and a ball of thread and instructed him to tie the ball of string to the door of the labyrinth where the minotaur lived and unroll it as he went through the maze so he could use it to find his was back out again once he had killed the minotaur with the sword. Prince Theseus did exactly as instructed and after he found the minotaur a big battle was fought which Theseus won by slaying the minotaur and was able to leave the labyrinth using the ball of thread to guide him.
Pandora's Box
According to greek mythology Pandora was the first woman on earth and was created by the God Zeus in an act of revenge against man. He instructed Hephaestus to create a beautiful woman who the Gods endowed with every charm (together with curiosity and deceit) and sent her to earth as a present for Epimetheus, who fell in love with her and they married. As a wedding gift Zeus sent Pandora a beautiful box which he told her never to open and gave the key for the box to Epimetheus. Over time Pandora became very curious about the contents of the box and several times begged Epimetheus to let her open it, but each time he said 'No'. Finally one day when Epimetheus was asleep Pandora stole the key and opened the box. As she lifted the lid to take a peek inside terrible things flew out of the box, every kind of disaster man had never know before: disease, despair, malice, greed, hatred, violence, cruelty and war. Unable to catch all these things before they flew away Pandora slammed down the lid and turned the key, keeping only the spirit of hope inside which Zeus had included to help keep people going when the nasty things got them down.
For holidays in Greece and Greece holidays, visit http://www.passporttogreece.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Edwards
Greek Mythology Hercules - The Mortal Who Became a God
When Hercules was born to Alcmene, she named him Herakles. But in Roman, Herakles is pronounced Hercules, which is the name we use for Hercules to this day. Hercules in Greek mythology is a great figure of valor and muscle strength. Hercules bravery earned him a place among the gods. After he left the mortal world, he found a position on Mount Olympus, the gods' dwelling place.
Zeus, the King of the gods was an unfaithful husband. He had a weakness for worldly pleasures. He fell in love with Alcmene, the wife of Amphitryon. In a short time, Alcmene conceived Hercules. This angered Hera and she tried to kill Hercules. Hercules survived his first fatal assault with a miracle.
When Hercules reached adulthood he became a famous warrior. He also fell in love with a beautiful woman called Megara. Megara became the mother of Hercules' children and together they made a happy family. However, things were to be different. Hera took a vow to irritate Hercules during his lifetime. She tricked Hercules into a wild rage. In his rage, the mortal god Hercules killed his family. This was exactly what Hera wanted!
When Hercules returned to his normal state of mind, he saw things were beyond remedy. He prayed to Apollo to get rid of his crime. Apollo was the sun god who could read into the future. We find in Greek Mythology that Hercules requested his advice. Apollo assigned him ten important tasks (later it was turned to twelve) as the way of purifying his soul.
The Delphic oracle sent him to Tiryns where the king Eurystheus ruled. Hercules was expected to serve him as laborer for twelve years of his life. However, the difficult service was not fruitless. Apollo promised him immortality. He was to become a god. However, the great Hercules of greek mythology had one problem, Hera. She actually kept her promise to make Hercules' life as wretched as she could. Nevertheless, with the assistance of Hermes and Athena, Hercules pulled off his term of twelve years with excellence. In addition, he became the greatest mortal on the earth to become a god.
Hercules In Greek Mythology - What Made Him So Special?
The honorable penance of Hercules and his eventual success is what makes him so special. His success brought him immortality, which would have been unthinkable for ordinary mortals. Hercules' first task was to peel off the skin of the horrifying Nemean Lion after capturing one. His next task was to kill The Lernean Hydra. The Lernean Hydra was a serpent with nine heads, which never gave peace to the lives of those around it. The third task for him was to bring a Hind (a sacred red deer) from Ceryneia to the king. The deer was the pet of Diana, the Moon goddess.
The fourth task for Hercules was to bring a live Erymanthian Boar. It was very dangerous to men and animals living around the mountain Erymanthus. Then Hercules was asked to clean up King Augeas' stables in one day. Are you thinking what is so great about it? King Augeas had an awesome amount of cattle of cows, bulls, goats, sheep and horses. Hercules proposed to King Augeas that he would clean the stable only if he rewarded Hercules with a tenth of his cattle.
After this success, Eurystheus was planning to make something tougher for Hercules. He commanded Hercules to force out an enormous flock of birds, which assembled at a lake near the town of Stymphalos. Goddess Athena helped him with a pair of bronze krotala, an item similiar to castanets. The Cretan Bull was an easy task for Hercules. Hercules wrestled the bull, and then delivered it back to King Eurystheus.
The eighth task was to bring the Man-Eating Horses of Diomedes. It was followed by the battle against the Amazonian female army to get the belt of Hippolyte, the queen. The tenth labor was an awesome one. Hercules had to go around the world, to bring the cattle of the Monster Geryon. It had three heads and three sets of legs all attached at the waist.
The tricky assignment was the eleventh one. Eurystheus asked Hercules to get the Apples of the Hesperides. These were the golden apples gifted by Hera to Zeus. These apples were strictly guarded by a hundred-headed dragon, named Ladon, and also by Hesperides, daughters of Atlas. The other obstacle was that Hercules had no idea where these apples of Hesperides were located. Eventually, Hercules found the location from Nereus whom he seized until Nereus gave him the location of the apples of Hesperides.
Then Hercules found out through Prometheus, whom Hercules had helped, that he would have to have Atlas retrieve the apples. Hercules agreed to hold the sky and the earth while Atlas retrieved the apples. When Atlas returned with the apples, he told Hercules that if he would hold the sky and earth for the rest of time, that he would take them to Eurystheus himself. But Hercules fooled Atlas by asking him to hold the earth until he padded his shoulders. Atlas took Hercules place holding the earth, and Hercules picked up the apples and ran.
After making the great Hercules do all sorts of unbelievable errands, Eurystheus made sure that he did not succeed the last time. So, he ordered Hercules to abduct Cerberus, the underworld beast. Did you ever hear a living man visiting the Hades? However, Greek mythology tells us Hercules was no ordinary man. He was a hero.
He eventually did complete all the tasks, purified his soul and rescued the princess of Troy from a ravenous sea-monster. He also facilitated Zeus to beat the Giants in a great battle for the control of Olympus. He married again, to the charming Deianira. She presented him a cloak, which was coated with what she mistakenly thought to be a magic love potion. She was told that the balm would make the person love her forever.
Ironically, it was poison, which burned Hercules skin. Hercules, not being able to endure the pain asked his friends to kindle a fire. Then Hercules placed himself on the fire to be burned up alive. But the gods looked down, and Zeus thought that Hercules had suffered enough. So he asked Hera to end her anger toward Hercules, which she did. Then Hercules was brought to Olympus in Athena's chariot by Zeus' request.
This Greek mortal Hercules is undoubtedly the greatest hero of Greek Mythology. Hercules is still considered to be the perfect mythical character.
© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.
Randy currently has a website dealing with Reviews of Coffee Related Products such as coffee makers, espresso makers, coffee, k-cups, and more plus articles on coffee enemas and other coffee and health related topics. He also has a website of Reviews of Small Appliances such as ice cream makers, vacuum cleaners, mixers, irons, toasters, food processors, and many other appliances.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randy_Wilson
Zeus, the King of the gods was an unfaithful husband. He had a weakness for worldly pleasures. He fell in love with Alcmene, the wife of Amphitryon. In a short time, Alcmene conceived Hercules. This angered Hera and she tried to kill Hercules. Hercules survived his first fatal assault with a miracle.
When Hercules reached adulthood he became a famous warrior. He also fell in love with a beautiful woman called Megara. Megara became the mother of Hercules' children and together they made a happy family. However, things were to be different. Hera took a vow to irritate Hercules during his lifetime. She tricked Hercules into a wild rage. In his rage, the mortal god Hercules killed his family. This was exactly what Hera wanted!
When Hercules returned to his normal state of mind, he saw things were beyond remedy. He prayed to Apollo to get rid of his crime. Apollo was the sun god who could read into the future. We find in Greek Mythology that Hercules requested his advice. Apollo assigned him ten important tasks (later it was turned to twelve) as the way of purifying his soul.
The Delphic oracle sent him to Tiryns where the king Eurystheus ruled. Hercules was expected to serve him as laborer for twelve years of his life. However, the difficult service was not fruitless. Apollo promised him immortality. He was to become a god. However, the great Hercules of greek mythology had one problem, Hera. She actually kept her promise to make Hercules' life as wretched as she could. Nevertheless, with the assistance of Hermes and Athena, Hercules pulled off his term of twelve years with excellence. In addition, he became the greatest mortal on the earth to become a god.
Hercules In Greek Mythology - What Made Him So Special?
The honorable penance of Hercules and his eventual success is what makes him so special. His success brought him immortality, which would have been unthinkable for ordinary mortals. Hercules' first task was to peel off the skin of the horrifying Nemean Lion after capturing one. His next task was to kill The Lernean Hydra. The Lernean Hydra was a serpent with nine heads, which never gave peace to the lives of those around it. The third task for him was to bring a Hind (a sacred red deer) from Ceryneia to the king. The deer was the pet of Diana, the Moon goddess.
The fourth task for Hercules was to bring a live Erymanthian Boar. It was very dangerous to men and animals living around the mountain Erymanthus. Then Hercules was asked to clean up King Augeas' stables in one day. Are you thinking what is so great about it? King Augeas had an awesome amount of cattle of cows, bulls, goats, sheep and horses. Hercules proposed to King Augeas that he would clean the stable only if he rewarded Hercules with a tenth of his cattle.
After this success, Eurystheus was planning to make something tougher for Hercules. He commanded Hercules to force out an enormous flock of birds, which assembled at a lake near the town of Stymphalos. Goddess Athena helped him with a pair of bronze krotala, an item similiar to castanets. The Cretan Bull was an easy task for Hercules. Hercules wrestled the bull, and then delivered it back to King Eurystheus.
The eighth task was to bring the Man-Eating Horses of Diomedes. It was followed by the battle against the Amazonian female army to get the belt of Hippolyte, the queen. The tenth labor was an awesome one. Hercules had to go around the world, to bring the cattle of the Monster Geryon. It had three heads and three sets of legs all attached at the waist.
The tricky assignment was the eleventh one. Eurystheus asked Hercules to get the Apples of the Hesperides. These were the golden apples gifted by Hera to Zeus. These apples were strictly guarded by a hundred-headed dragon, named Ladon, and also by Hesperides, daughters of Atlas. The other obstacle was that Hercules had no idea where these apples of Hesperides were located. Eventually, Hercules found the location from Nereus whom he seized until Nereus gave him the location of the apples of Hesperides.
Then Hercules found out through Prometheus, whom Hercules had helped, that he would have to have Atlas retrieve the apples. Hercules agreed to hold the sky and the earth while Atlas retrieved the apples. When Atlas returned with the apples, he told Hercules that if he would hold the sky and earth for the rest of time, that he would take them to Eurystheus himself. But Hercules fooled Atlas by asking him to hold the earth until he padded his shoulders. Atlas took Hercules place holding the earth, and Hercules picked up the apples and ran.
After making the great Hercules do all sorts of unbelievable errands, Eurystheus made sure that he did not succeed the last time. So, he ordered Hercules to abduct Cerberus, the underworld beast. Did you ever hear a living man visiting the Hades? However, Greek mythology tells us Hercules was no ordinary man. He was a hero.
He eventually did complete all the tasks, purified his soul and rescued the princess of Troy from a ravenous sea-monster. He also facilitated Zeus to beat the Giants in a great battle for the control of Olympus. He married again, to the charming Deianira. She presented him a cloak, which was coated with what she mistakenly thought to be a magic love potion. She was told that the balm would make the person love her forever.
Ironically, it was poison, which burned Hercules skin. Hercules, not being able to endure the pain asked his friends to kindle a fire. Then Hercules placed himself on the fire to be burned up alive. But the gods looked down, and Zeus thought that Hercules had suffered enough. So he asked Hera to end her anger toward Hercules, which she did. Then Hercules was brought to Olympus in Athena's chariot by Zeus' request.
This Greek mortal Hercules is undoubtedly the greatest hero of Greek Mythology. Hercules is still considered to be the perfect mythical character.
© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.
Randy currently has a website dealing with Reviews of Coffee Related Products such as coffee makers, espresso makers, coffee, k-cups, and more plus articles on coffee enemas and other coffee and health related topics. He also has a website of Reviews of Small Appliances such as ice cream makers, vacuum cleaners, mixers, irons, toasters, food processors, and many other appliances.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randy_Wilson
Monday, July 27, 2009
Aztec vs. Mayan Calendar
The Aztec calendar was the calendar of the Aztec people of Pre-Columbian Mexico. It is one of the Mesoamerican calendars, sharing the basic structure of calendars from throughout ancient Mesoamerica. This calendar is recorded as a carving on the Aztec Calendar Stone currently found in the National Museum of Anthropology and History located within Chapultepec Park, Mexico City.
The calendar consisted of a 365 day calendar cycle and a 260 day ritual cycle. These two cycles together formed a 52 year "century", sometimes called the "Calendar Round".The calendric year began with the first appearance of the Pleiades asterism in the east immediately before the dawn light.
Every month had its name, and the days of the month were numbered from one to twenty. The days of the last month, Nemontemi, were numbered from one to five.The box at the top of the stone contains the stone's year of creation, in this case 1479 CE.
The solar calendar of 365 days was inseparable from the Sacred Round, or Sacred Almanac. The priests used this ritual calendar of 260 days called Tonalpohualli primarily for divinatory purposes. The method of naming the individual days consisted in the combination of twenty pictorial signs with the numbers one to thirteen. Each of the day signs also bears an association with one of the four cardinal directions.The 20 day signs are depicted in the calendar image to the right. They are arrayed in a circle surrounding the central face.
The original Aztec Calendar is a 12', massive stone slab, carved in the middle of the 15th century. Many renditions of it exist and have existed through the years and throughout Mexico.
Historically, the Aztec name for the huge basaltic monolith is Cuauhxicalli Eagle Bowl, but it is universally known as the Aztec Calendar or Sun Stone. It was during the reign of the 6th Aztec monarch in 1479 that this stone was carved and dedicated to the principal Aztec deity: the sun. The stone has both mythological and astronomical significance. It weighs almost 25 tons, has a diameter of just under 12 feet, and a thickness of 3 feet.
On December 17th, 1790 the stone was discovered, buried in the "Zocalo" (the main square) of Mexico City. The viceroy of New Spain at the time was don Joaquin de Monserrat, Marquis of Cruillas. Afterwards it was embedded in the wall of the Western tower of the metropolitan Cathedral, where it remained until 1885. At that time it was transferred to the national Museum of Archaeology and History by order of the then President of the Republic, General Porfirio Diaz.
Xiuhmolpilli commemorative sculpture marking the completion of the fifty-two-year cycle. Every 52 years the tonalpohualli and the xiuhpohualli calendars would align. This marked what was known as a Mesoamerican "century." Every one of these centuries was marked by xiuhmolpilli - Binding Up of the Years or the New Fire Ceremony. This was a festival that lasted 12 days and included fasting as a symbol of penitence. At the beginning of this festival all the lights in the city were extinguished - people let their hearth fires go out. Then on midnight of the 12th day of the festival, a prisoner was taken to the priest. The priest would watch in the night sky for the star of fire to reach the zenith. Once it did, the priest would remove the heart of this man, and replace it with a piece of wood, that was laid on a piece of turquoise. This is where the priest would start the new fire that would once again light the city.
Name of Month
Patron Gods and Rituals
I. Atlacacauallo (ceasing of water)
Tlaloc, Chachihutlicue
Children sacrificed to water gods
II. Tlacaxipehualiztli (flaying of men)
Xipe-Totec
Gladiatorial sacrifice; dances by priest wearing the flayed skin of victims
III. Tozoztontli (little vigil)
Coatlicue, Tlaloc
Flayed skins buried, child sacrifices
IV. Hueytozoztli (great vigil)
Centeotl, Chicomecacoatl
Blessing of new corn; maiden sacrificed
V. Toxcatl (dryness)
Tezcatlipoca, Huitzilopochtli
Impersonators of these major gods sacrificed
VI. Etzalcualiztli (meal of maize & beans)
Tlaloques
Impersonators of water deities sacrificed by drowning; ritual bathing and dances
VII. Tecuilhuitontli (small feast of the lords)
Huixtocihuatl, Xochipilli
Impersonators of the gods sacrificed; ceremony of salt workers
VIII. Hueytecuihutli (great feast of the lords)
Xilonen
Feast for goddess of young corn, lords offer gifts and feast for commoners
IX. Tlaxochimaco (birth of flowers)
Huizilopochtli
All the gods festooned with garlands; feasting on corn-meal cakes and turkey
X.
Xocotlhuetzin (fall of fruit)
Hueymiccaihuitl (great feast of the dead)
Xiuhtecuhtli
Ceremonial pole climbing competition
Sacrifice to fire gods by roasting victims alive
XI. Ochpaniztli (sweeping of the roads)
Tlazolteotl
Sweeping of house and roads; mock combat
XII. Teoleco (return of the gods)
Tezcatlipoca
Ceremonies welcoming gods returning to earth; ceremonial drunkenness, sacrifices by fire
XIII. Tepeihuitl (feast of the hills)
Tlaloc
Ceremonies for mountain rain gods; human sacrifices and ceremonial cannibalism
XIV. Quecholli (precious feather)
Mixcoatl-Camaxtli
Ritualistic hunt following fast; sacrifice of game and ceremonial feasting
XV. Panquetzaliztli (raising of the banner)
Huitzilopochtli
Homes and fruit trees decorated with paper banners; race-procession; massive sacrifices
XVI. Atemoztli (water decends)
Tlaloc
Festival honoring water gods; children and slaves sacrificed
XVII. Tititl (stretching)
Llamatecuhtli
Sympathetic magic to bring rain; women beaten with straw-filled bags to make them cry
XVIII. Izcalli (resuscitation)
Xiuhtecuhtli
Image of god made from amaranth dough; feasting on tamales stuffed with greens
Nemontemi (empty days) Five unlucky days; no rituals, general fasting
The tonalpohualli (count of days) was the sacred almanac of the Mexicas. This ritual calendar was registered in the tonalamatl (book of days), a green-fold bark paper or deerskin codex from which a priest (called tonalpouque) cast horoscopes and predicated favorable and unfavorable days of the cycle. The almanac year comprised of 260 days, each of which was assigned a date by intermeshing one of 20 day-signs, represented graphically with a glyph, and a number from 1 to13, represented by dots so that no two days in the cycle could be confused. The almanac year was thus made up of 20 13-day weeks, with the first week beginning on 1-Crocodile and ending on 13-Reed, the second week running from 1-Ocelot to 13-Deaths' Head and so on. A god or goddess was believed to preside over each day-sign, as shown in the following chart.
The Center of the Disc - Tonatiuh
Tonatiuh's Face is the face of the sun, Lord of Heaven, around which takes place all daily and periodic phenomena. The crown, nose-pendant, ear-rings and necklace are magnificent, as must be the ornaments characteristic of this deity. The hair is blond, due to the golden appearance of the sun. The wrinkles on the face show age and maturity. And the tongue, stuck out is the form of an obsidian knife, indicates that the diety demands to be fed with blood and human hearts.
First Ring - from Center. Four Olin representing the Earthquake Epoch or Sun. The four epochs represented inside the square portions of this symbol correspond to the four previous epochs also called suns.
Second Ring - The second ring from the center is composed of 20 named days contained in one month, also used for naming years. Each year starts on one of four of these 20 days.
Twenty Days of the Aztec Month
Snake - Coatl
Lizard - Cuetzpallin
House - Calli
Wind - Ehecatl
Crocodile - Cipactli
Flower - Xochitl
Rain - Quiahuitl
Flint - Tecpatl
Movement - Ollin
Vulture - Cozcacuauhtli
Eagle - Cuauhtle
Jaguar - Ocelotl
Cane - Acatl
Herb - Malinalli
Monkey - Ozomatli
Hairless Dog - Itzquintli
Water - Atl
Rabbit - Tochtli
Deer - Mazatl
Skull - Miquiztli
Third Ring - Sun Rays - Chalchihuite Ornaments - Splashed Blood Symbols
Outer Ring - Dedication Plate - Herbs with Buds - White Scrolls - Flame Sign - Xiucoatl's Tail
Aztec vs. Mayan Calendar
The two calendars were was basically similar. The ritual day cycle was called Tonalpohualli and was formed, as was the Mayan Tzolkin, by the concurrence of a cycle of numerals 1 through 13 with a cycle of 20 day names, many of them similar to the day names of the Maya.
Where the Aztec differed most significantly from the Maya was in their more primitive number system and in their less precise way of recording dates. Normally, they noted only the day on which an event occurred and the name of the current year. This is ambiguous, since the same day, as designated in the way mentioned above, can occur twice in a year. Moreover, years of the same name recur at 52-year intervals, and Spanish colonial annals often disagree as to the length of time between two events.
Other discrepancies in the records are only partially explained by the fact that different towns started their year with different months. The most widely accepted correlation of the calendar of Tenochtitlan with the Christian Julian calendar is based on the entrance of Cortes into that city on November 8, 1519, and on the surrender of Cuauhtemoc on August 13, 1521. According to this correlation, the first date was a day 8 Wind, the ninth day of the month Quecholli, in a year 1 Reed, the 13th year of a cycle.
The Mexicans, as all other Meso-Americans, believed in the periodic destruction and re-creation of the world. The "Calendar Stone" in the Museo Nacional de Antropologia (National Museum of Anthropology) in Mexico City depicts in its central panel the date 4 Ollin (movement), on which they anticipated that their current world would be destroyed by earthquake, and within it the dates of previous holocausts: 4 Tiger, 4 Wind, 4 Rain, and 4 Water.
The Aztec calendar kept two different aspects of time; tonalpohualli and xiuhpohualli. Each of these systems had a different purpose. The tonalpohualliwas the 'counting of days.' It originated by ancient peoples observing that the sun, crossed a certain zenith point near the Mayan city of Copan, every 260 days. So this first system is arranged in a 260-day cycle. These 260 days were then broken up into 20 periods, with each period containing 13 days, called trecenas. Each period was given the name of something that was then shown by a hieroglyphic sign, and each trecena was given a number 1-13. Each trecena is also thought to have a god or deity presiding over each of the trecena. They kept these counts in tonalamatls, screenfold books made from bark paper. The Aztecs used this as a religious calendar. Priests used the calendar to determine luck days for such activities as sowing crops, building houses, and going to war.
The xiuhpohualli was the 'counting of the years.' This calendar was kept on a 365-day solar count. This was also the agricultural and ceremonial calendar of the Aztec state. It was divided into 18 periods, with each period containing 20 days, called veintenas. This left five days that were not represented. These were called "nemontemi." These were the five transition days between the old and the new year, and were considered days of nothing. This was a time of festivals. People came to the festivals with their best clothes on, and took part in singing and dancing. This is also when the priest would perform sacrifices, most of these sacrifices were human, but others were preformed on animals and fruit.
The solar year was the basis for the civil calendar by which the Mexicas (Aztecs) determined the myriad ceremonies and rituals linked to agricultural cycles. The calendar was made up of 18 months, each lasting 20 days. The months were divided into four five-day weeks. The year was rounded out to 365 days by the addition of the five-day nemontemi (empty days), an ominous period marked by the cessation of normal activities and general abstinence. The correlation of dates in the Gregorian calendar is uncertain, although most authors on the subject affix the beginning of the Aztec year to early February. A variety of sources were consulted in developing the following chart of some of the ritualistic activities associated with each month.
Many of the Aztecs' religious ceremonies, including frequent human sacrifices, were performed at the Great Temple, located in the center of their capital city of Tenochtitlan.
The calendar consisted of a 365 day calendar cycle and a 260 day ritual cycle. These two cycles together formed a 52 year "century", sometimes called the "Calendar Round".The calendric year began with the first appearance of the Pleiades asterism in the east immediately before the dawn light.
Every month had its name, and the days of the month were numbered from one to twenty. The days of the last month, Nemontemi, were numbered from one to five.The box at the top of the stone contains the stone's year of creation, in this case 1479 CE.
The solar calendar of 365 days was inseparable from the Sacred Round, or Sacred Almanac. The priests used this ritual calendar of 260 days called Tonalpohualli primarily for divinatory purposes. The method of naming the individual days consisted in the combination of twenty pictorial signs with the numbers one to thirteen. Each of the day signs also bears an association with one of the four cardinal directions.The 20 day signs are depicted in the calendar image to the right. They are arrayed in a circle surrounding the central face.
The original Aztec Calendar is a 12', massive stone slab, carved in the middle of the 15th century. Many renditions of it exist and have existed through the years and throughout Mexico.
Historically, the Aztec name for the huge basaltic monolith is Cuauhxicalli Eagle Bowl, but it is universally known as the Aztec Calendar or Sun Stone. It was during the reign of the 6th Aztec monarch in 1479 that this stone was carved and dedicated to the principal Aztec deity: the sun. The stone has both mythological and astronomical significance. It weighs almost 25 tons, has a diameter of just under 12 feet, and a thickness of 3 feet.
On December 17th, 1790 the stone was discovered, buried in the "Zocalo" (the main square) of Mexico City. The viceroy of New Spain at the time was don Joaquin de Monserrat, Marquis of Cruillas. Afterwards it was embedded in the wall of the Western tower of the metropolitan Cathedral, where it remained until 1885. At that time it was transferred to the national Museum of Archaeology and History by order of the then President of the Republic, General Porfirio Diaz.
Xiuhmolpilli commemorative sculpture marking the completion of the fifty-two-year cycle. Every 52 years the tonalpohualli and the xiuhpohualli calendars would align. This marked what was known as a Mesoamerican "century." Every one of these centuries was marked by xiuhmolpilli - Binding Up of the Years or the New Fire Ceremony. This was a festival that lasted 12 days and included fasting as a symbol of penitence. At the beginning of this festival all the lights in the city were extinguished - people let their hearth fires go out. Then on midnight of the 12th day of the festival, a prisoner was taken to the priest. The priest would watch in the night sky for the star of fire to reach the zenith. Once it did, the priest would remove the heart of this man, and replace it with a piece of wood, that was laid on a piece of turquoise. This is where the priest would start the new fire that would once again light the city.
Name of Month
Patron Gods and Rituals
I. Atlacacauallo (ceasing of water)
Tlaloc, Chachihutlicue
Children sacrificed to water gods
II. Tlacaxipehualiztli (flaying of men)
Xipe-Totec
Gladiatorial sacrifice; dances by priest wearing the flayed skin of victims
III. Tozoztontli (little vigil)
Coatlicue, Tlaloc
Flayed skins buried, child sacrifices
IV. Hueytozoztli (great vigil)
Centeotl, Chicomecacoatl
Blessing of new corn; maiden sacrificed
V. Toxcatl (dryness)
Tezcatlipoca, Huitzilopochtli
Impersonators of these major gods sacrificed
VI. Etzalcualiztli (meal of maize & beans)
Tlaloques
Impersonators of water deities sacrificed by drowning; ritual bathing and dances
VII. Tecuilhuitontli (small feast of the lords)
Huixtocihuatl, Xochipilli
Impersonators of the gods sacrificed; ceremony of salt workers
VIII. Hueytecuihutli (great feast of the lords)
Xilonen
Feast for goddess of young corn, lords offer gifts and feast for commoners
IX. Tlaxochimaco (birth of flowers)
Huizilopochtli
All the gods festooned with garlands; feasting on corn-meal cakes and turkey
X.
Xocotlhuetzin (fall of fruit)
Hueymiccaihuitl (great feast of the dead)
Xiuhtecuhtli
Ceremonial pole climbing competition
Sacrifice to fire gods by roasting victims alive
XI. Ochpaniztli (sweeping of the roads)
Tlazolteotl
Sweeping of house and roads; mock combat
XII. Teoleco (return of the gods)
Tezcatlipoca
Ceremonies welcoming gods returning to earth; ceremonial drunkenness, sacrifices by fire
XIII. Tepeihuitl (feast of the hills)
Tlaloc
Ceremonies for mountain rain gods; human sacrifices and ceremonial cannibalism
XIV. Quecholli (precious feather)
Mixcoatl-Camaxtli
Ritualistic hunt following fast; sacrifice of game and ceremonial feasting
XV. Panquetzaliztli (raising of the banner)
Huitzilopochtli
Homes and fruit trees decorated with paper banners; race-procession; massive sacrifices
XVI. Atemoztli (water decends)
Tlaloc
Festival honoring water gods; children and slaves sacrificed
XVII. Tititl (stretching)
Llamatecuhtli
Sympathetic magic to bring rain; women beaten with straw-filled bags to make them cry
XVIII. Izcalli (resuscitation)
Xiuhtecuhtli
Image of god made from amaranth dough; feasting on tamales stuffed with greens
Nemontemi (empty days) Five unlucky days; no rituals, general fasting
The tonalpohualli (count of days) was the sacred almanac of the Mexicas. This ritual calendar was registered in the tonalamatl (book of days), a green-fold bark paper or deerskin codex from which a priest (called tonalpouque) cast horoscopes and predicated favorable and unfavorable days of the cycle. The almanac year comprised of 260 days, each of which was assigned a date by intermeshing one of 20 day-signs, represented graphically with a glyph, and a number from 1 to13, represented by dots so that no two days in the cycle could be confused. The almanac year was thus made up of 20 13-day weeks, with the first week beginning on 1-Crocodile and ending on 13-Reed, the second week running from 1-Ocelot to 13-Deaths' Head and so on. A god or goddess was believed to preside over each day-sign, as shown in the following chart.
The Center of the Disc - Tonatiuh
Tonatiuh's Face is the face of the sun, Lord of Heaven, around which takes place all daily and periodic phenomena. The crown, nose-pendant, ear-rings and necklace are magnificent, as must be the ornaments characteristic of this deity. The hair is blond, due to the golden appearance of the sun. The wrinkles on the face show age and maturity. And the tongue, stuck out is the form of an obsidian knife, indicates that the diety demands to be fed with blood and human hearts.
First Ring - from Center. Four Olin representing the Earthquake Epoch or Sun. The four epochs represented inside the square portions of this symbol correspond to the four previous epochs also called suns.
Second Ring - The second ring from the center is composed of 20 named days contained in one month, also used for naming years. Each year starts on one of four of these 20 days.
Twenty Days of the Aztec Month
Snake - Coatl
Lizard - Cuetzpallin
House - Calli
Wind - Ehecatl
Crocodile - Cipactli
Flower - Xochitl
Rain - Quiahuitl
Flint - Tecpatl
Movement - Ollin
Vulture - Cozcacuauhtli
Eagle - Cuauhtle
Jaguar - Ocelotl
Cane - Acatl
Herb - Malinalli
Monkey - Ozomatli
Hairless Dog - Itzquintli
Water - Atl
Rabbit - Tochtli
Deer - Mazatl
Skull - Miquiztli
Third Ring - Sun Rays - Chalchihuite Ornaments - Splashed Blood Symbols
Outer Ring - Dedication Plate - Herbs with Buds - White Scrolls - Flame Sign - Xiucoatl's Tail
Aztec vs. Mayan Calendar
The two calendars were was basically similar. The ritual day cycle was called Tonalpohualli and was formed, as was the Mayan Tzolkin, by the concurrence of a cycle of numerals 1 through 13 with a cycle of 20 day names, many of them similar to the day names of the Maya.
Where the Aztec differed most significantly from the Maya was in their more primitive number system and in their less precise way of recording dates. Normally, they noted only the day on which an event occurred and the name of the current year. This is ambiguous, since the same day, as designated in the way mentioned above, can occur twice in a year. Moreover, years of the same name recur at 52-year intervals, and Spanish colonial annals often disagree as to the length of time between two events.
Other discrepancies in the records are only partially explained by the fact that different towns started their year with different months. The most widely accepted correlation of the calendar of Tenochtitlan with the Christian Julian calendar is based on the entrance of Cortes into that city on November 8, 1519, and on the surrender of Cuauhtemoc on August 13, 1521. According to this correlation, the first date was a day 8 Wind, the ninth day of the month Quecholli, in a year 1 Reed, the 13th year of a cycle.
The Mexicans, as all other Meso-Americans, believed in the periodic destruction and re-creation of the world. The "Calendar Stone" in the Museo Nacional de Antropologia (National Museum of Anthropology) in Mexico City depicts in its central panel the date 4 Ollin (movement), on which they anticipated that their current world would be destroyed by earthquake, and within it the dates of previous holocausts: 4 Tiger, 4 Wind, 4 Rain, and 4 Water.
The Aztec calendar kept two different aspects of time; tonalpohualli and xiuhpohualli. Each of these systems had a different purpose. The tonalpohualliwas the 'counting of days.' It originated by ancient peoples observing that the sun, crossed a certain zenith point near the Mayan city of Copan, every 260 days. So this first system is arranged in a 260-day cycle. These 260 days were then broken up into 20 periods, with each period containing 13 days, called trecenas. Each period was given the name of something that was then shown by a hieroglyphic sign, and each trecena was given a number 1-13. Each trecena is also thought to have a god or deity presiding over each of the trecena. They kept these counts in tonalamatls, screenfold books made from bark paper. The Aztecs used this as a religious calendar. Priests used the calendar to determine luck days for such activities as sowing crops, building houses, and going to war.
The xiuhpohualli was the 'counting of the years.' This calendar was kept on a 365-day solar count. This was also the agricultural and ceremonial calendar of the Aztec state. It was divided into 18 periods, with each period containing 20 days, called veintenas. This left five days that were not represented. These were called "nemontemi." These were the five transition days between the old and the new year, and were considered days of nothing. This was a time of festivals. People came to the festivals with their best clothes on, and took part in singing and dancing. This is also when the priest would perform sacrifices, most of these sacrifices were human, but others were preformed on animals and fruit.
The solar year was the basis for the civil calendar by which the Mexicas (Aztecs) determined the myriad ceremonies and rituals linked to agricultural cycles. The calendar was made up of 18 months, each lasting 20 days. The months were divided into four five-day weeks. The year was rounded out to 365 days by the addition of the five-day nemontemi (empty days), an ominous period marked by the cessation of normal activities and general abstinence. The correlation of dates in the Gregorian calendar is uncertain, although most authors on the subject affix the beginning of the Aztec year to early February. A variety of sources were consulted in developing the following chart of some of the ritualistic activities associated with each month.
Many of the Aztecs' religious ceremonies, including frequent human sacrifices, were performed at the Great Temple, located in the center of their capital city of Tenochtitlan.
Naming Stars in Different Cultures
While modern astronomers refer to most stars solely by catalog numbers and astronomy coordinates, many people informally name stars using name a star services. In fact, throughout history people from various cultures have used star names of their own choosing: Many civilizations explained their existence through mythological stories passed from generation to generation, and often associated these stories with the stars in the night sky. As we'll see, even a major car company is named after the stars.
To illustrate, let's start with a constellation (an area of the night sky) modern astronomers have named after a character from Greek and Roman mythology - "Orion," the Great Hunter. Orion is one of the most well known and easily-identifiable constellations, and can be seen from just about anywhere on Earth: The best time to view Orion is during the evening hours between roughly December and March. Many classical mythology stories are told about Orion and how he came to be placed in the heavens. One such story is that Orion had no fear of any animal and therefore threatened to exterminate all of the animals of the earth. When Gaia, the goddess of the earth, heard this she became enraged and sent a scorpion to kill Orion. When Orion encountered the scorpion he was unable to kill it, and the scorpion stung Orion and sent him falling to the earth, fatally wounded. In honor of this story, Orion was placed in the night sky as a constellation, as was the scorpion - known as the constellation "Scorpius."
While 21st century astronomers refer to the constellation "Orion" after a hunter from classical mythology, other cultures have had different interpretations of these same stars. One of the distinguishing features of Orion is a line of three, bright stars that form what is called "The Belt of Orion." The ancient Egyptians thought these three bright stars were the resting place of the god Osiris. The Dogon people of West Africa viewed the three stars as the stairway to heaven. These same three stars have been associated with Christmas, viewed as representing the Magi - "The Three Wise Men" (The Three Kings) from the Bible. The people of the Marshall Islands viewed Orion's stars as an octopus and a fisherman: The story told was of a fisherman who was attacked by an octopus. The fisherman defended himself by using a stone to stab the head of the octopus. Although the octopus was wounded he was able to spray his ink, behind which he hid and was able to escape. The Chimu Indians of Peru believed that the middle star of Orion's belt represented a thief or mischief maker that the Moon Goddess punished. The Moon Goddess punished the wrongdoer by sending two stars to capture him and send him to four vultures that would eat him. This mythological story served as a warning for those who would commit crimes.
Another interesting example from classical mythology is related to a beautiful group of stars in the constellation Taurus called "The Pleiades," or "The Seven Sisters." These stars are visible in the evening sky from roughly November through April, and are often confused with "The Little Dipper" (which is in another constellation) as the bright stars of the Pleiades together resemble a very small dipper, or ladle. The story from classical mythology is that Orion, the hunter, became enamored of these seven beautiful ladies, and relentlessly pursued them throughout the world. Taking pity on the young women, Zeus placed them in the heavens where Orion continues to pursue them in the night sky.
Many cultures have also associated the Pleiades with females or femininity. The Australian Aborigines saw this group of stars as a cluster of girls who were musicians. These girls play their instruments for a group of young boys who are represented by the stars seen in Orion's belt. Some Native American tribes viewed the Pleiades as seven mothers who were looking for their seven lost sons: According to the Chumash Indians of California, these seven sons had become the stars of the Big Dipper. The Kiowa Indians saw these stars as young women who were placed in the heavens by the Great Spirit so as to save them from attacking bears. In Norse mythology, they were the hens of Freya, the goddess of love, beauty and fertility. In Japan the Pleiades were known as "Subaru," after which a Japanese car company is named.
Naming stars, then, is an age-old custom that has been practiced by different civilizations around the world.
Richard Pickering is an astronomer and writer for Name A Star Live.
Name A Star Live lets you express your feelings in a romantic, meaningful way by 'naming a star' for a loved one. Our star gift sets give you more for your money in a presentable, handsome gift that everyone loves.
Only Name A Star Live includes Virtual Planetarium astronomy software and options such as a beautiful astrophoto of your constellation and star, binary stars, and more - choose from 17 constellations, including the 12 astrological zodiac star signs.
While no star-naming service can change the scientific designations of stars, only Name A Star Live makes it real by providing you an opportunity to view your star live using an online, robotically controlled telescope. And you can send your star name and message to space on board an actual rocket!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Pickering
To illustrate, let's start with a constellation (an area of the night sky) modern astronomers have named after a character from Greek and Roman mythology - "Orion," the Great Hunter. Orion is one of the most well known and easily-identifiable constellations, and can be seen from just about anywhere on Earth: The best time to view Orion is during the evening hours between roughly December and March. Many classical mythology stories are told about Orion and how he came to be placed in the heavens. One such story is that Orion had no fear of any animal and therefore threatened to exterminate all of the animals of the earth. When Gaia, the goddess of the earth, heard this she became enraged and sent a scorpion to kill Orion. When Orion encountered the scorpion he was unable to kill it, and the scorpion stung Orion and sent him falling to the earth, fatally wounded. In honor of this story, Orion was placed in the night sky as a constellation, as was the scorpion - known as the constellation "Scorpius."
While 21st century astronomers refer to the constellation "Orion" after a hunter from classical mythology, other cultures have had different interpretations of these same stars. One of the distinguishing features of Orion is a line of three, bright stars that form what is called "The Belt of Orion." The ancient Egyptians thought these three bright stars were the resting place of the god Osiris. The Dogon people of West Africa viewed the three stars as the stairway to heaven. These same three stars have been associated with Christmas, viewed as representing the Magi - "The Three Wise Men" (The Three Kings) from the Bible. The people of the Marshall Islands viewed Orion's stars as an octopus and a fisherman: The story told was of a fisherman who was attacked by an octopus. The fisherman defended himself by using a stone to stab the head of the octopus. Although the octopus was wounded he was able to spray his ink, behind which he hid and was able to escape. The Chimu Indians of Peru believed that the middle star of Orion's belt represented a thief or mischief maker that the Moon Goddess punished. The Moon Goddess punished the wrongdoer by sending two stars to capture him and send him to four vultures that would eat him. This mythological story served as a warning for those who would commit crimes.
Another interesting example from classical mythology is related to a beautiful group of stars in the constellation Taurus called "The Pleiades," or "The Seven Sisters." These stars are visible in the evening sky from roughly November through April, and are often confused with "The Little Dipper" (which is in another constellation) as the bright stars of the Pleiades together resemble a very small dipper, or ladle. The story from classical mythology is that Orion, the hunter, became enamored of these seven beautiful ladies, and relentlessly pursued them throughout the world. Taking pity on the young women, Zeus placed them in the heavens where Orion continues to pursue them in the night sky.
Many cultures have also associated the Pleiades with females or femininity. The Australian Aborigines saw this group of stars as a cluster of girls who were musicians. These girls play their instruments for a group of young boys who are represented by the stars seen in Orion's belt. Some Native American tribes viewed the Pleiades as seven mothers who were looking for their seven lost sons: According to the Chumash Indians of California, these seven sons had become the stars of the Big Dipper. The Kiowa Indians saw these stars as young women who were placed in the heavens by the Great Spirit so as to save them from attacking bears. In Norse mythology, they were the hens of Freya, the goddess of love, beauty and fertility. In Japan the Pleiades were known as "Subaru," after which a Japanese car company is named.
Naming stars, then, is an age-old custom that has been practiced by different civilizations around the world.
Richard Pickering is an astronomer and writer for Name A Star Live.
Name A Star Live lets you express your feelings in a romantic, meaningful way by 'naming a star' for a loved one. Our star gift sets give you more for your money in a presentable, handsome gift that everyone loves.
Only Name A Star Live includes Virtual Planetarium astronomy software and options such as a beautiful astrophoto of your constellation and star, binary stars, and more - choose from 17 constellations, including the 12 astrological zodiac star signs.
While no star-naming service can change the scientific designations of stars, only Name A Star Live makes it real by providing you an opportunity to view your star live using an online, robotically controlled telescope. And you can send your star name and message to space on board an actual rocket!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Pickering
List of Alien Races, Attributes, and Intentions
The topic of alien life has played upon the minds of being incarnate upon the earth plane for eons of time. In earlier civilizations, alien visitation and contacts were nothing unordinary. Yet in the present day with our warlike and conquering nature, the peaceful interactions with our extra-terrestrial counterparts have decreased with a increase in negative contacts with sinister motives. Do not be alarmed, for our allies are still with us and they are aiding in the battle to eliminate the negative influences on our world as they have always done. We provide a basic comprehensive list of the four alien races most influential on earth and their attributes in the following paragraphs.
Andromedians: These entities reside and come from the Andormeda Galaxy, that move in inter-stellar light travel. They have hyper-light traveling capabilities, as they can travel from one side of the universe to the next in a matter of seconds. These beings are very thin, standing eight to ten feet tall and are extremely beautiful. This race is so spiritually evolved that they no longer have the need for physical bodies. In ancient mythology, they are referred to as the winged gods. These beings do not eat, as they live off the prana(energy) of the universe. Andromedians have taken care of humanity for centuries as they consider us their brothers and sisters. Their mother ship is here at this moment in our stratosphere, and our government is very aware of this and can do no-thing about it. The Andromedians have inspired prophets and philosophers alike. Their teachings have been perverted and manipulated to control the masses and enslave the people, and this has been allowed. These beings are of a positive orientation.
Pleiadians: These beings reside and come from the star constellation named the Pleiades. There are seven stars in the Pleiades, and these beings come from the star known as Taygeta. Out of the nine planets that orbit this star, only four are inhabited with living beings. Their home world is the planet Erra, which is very similar to our planet earth. They share the same plant and animal life as on earth, and their days are only six tenths of a second less than on earth. These beings are millions of years older than earthlings, and are more spiritually advanced than earth beings. The typical lifespan of a Pleiadian is 700 years or more as only 400 million people reside on the planet Erra, as opposed to the extremely over population of earth which is above 6 billion. There is no dishonesty on Erra as their form of communication is through telepathy. The basic necessities of life are provided freely, as there is no need for money, wealth, and power. Pleiadians resemble earth beings, the only difference is lighter skin. The Galactic Federation of Light consists of many entities from the Pleiades, as the GFL is our main ally in the battle to save our planet from certain destruction The Pleiadians are of a positive orientation. Grey
Greys: There are many variations of the Grey species found in this universe, you may have seen this species depicted in popular film media as the short grey aliens with huge bulging black eyes. The Greys originally started out as tall blond-haired humanoids in the Rigel system, but were subject to heavy nuclear radiation over long periods of time. This changed their DNA and glandular structure dramatically, which caused them to devolve into their current form. This nuclear exchange occurred approximately 300,000 years ago. These beings are nocturnal, as their eyes are very sensitive to ultraviolet light. They have the ability to control their heart rate, and their brains have more lobes than that of a human brain. These beings communicate telepathically as they only have a horizontal slit for a mouth, and function in a hive mind like manner. These beings have problems with their digestive system, and they compensate that by absorbing glandular secretions through their skin from animals they abduct, as well as semen extracts from human beings in nocturnal emissions or abductions as well. These beings co-operate with our current governmental structures for reasons of global domination and control. They replace world leaders that are against this cause, with clones and hybrid Grey entities. These beings are of a neutral orientation, as they can perceive human emotions but do not comprehend what they mean to us.
Reptilian Reptilians: This race of beings, is perhaps the greatest threat to humanity today, as it had been for hundreds of thousands of years in the past. Many years ago, the ancient astronauts of our planet were engaged in a fierce battle with these beings, and the Annunaki Reptilians were forced into underground caverns where the battle continued until most of these beings were destroyed, though a few survived and are present in our world today as you read this article. There is a global cover-up of the existence of this race of beings. The dinosaur bones claimed to be of massive beasts from prehistoric periods may actually be the remains of the Reptilians destroyed in the ancient battle. These beings have long heads with vertical slit pupils, most of the reptilian hierarchy of the previous ages are green or brown, yet there are those who survived and evolved in the deep and dark caverns of the earth that have mutated into an albino white form.
The reptilians have set up various bases on the earth as well as inside of Venus, and many other locations throughout the galaxy as they are a conquering race. These beings have no regard for humans as they eat us like we eat chicken, there are numerous underground facilities with massive storage rooms of human cadavers. These beings are not dependant on humans as a source of food though, as their main form of booty is the gold of our world that sustains the environment of their home world. They do not fear humans as they consider themselves far more superior in intelligence and beauty than us, they view us a repulsive and disgusting looking creatures. The Bush family and many of their associates are reported to be the humanoid reptilians of our day, as well as many members of English and British royalty. These beings are of a negative orientation.
Visit us for more information on information ranging from the New World Order Conspiracy Theories as well as Metaphysical Science and occult Magic at these links.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmy_Jump
Andromedians: These entities reside and come from the Andormeda Galaxy, that move in inter-stellar light travel. They have hyper-light traveling capabilities, as they can travel from one side of the universe to the next in a matter of seconds. These beings are very thin, standing eight to ten feet tall and are extremely beautiful. This race is so spiritually evolved that they no longer have the need for physical bodies. In ancient mythology, they are referred to as the winged gods. These beings do not eat, as they live off the prana(energy) of the universe. Andromedians have taken care of humanity for centuries as they consider us their brothers and sisters. Their mother ship is here at this moment in our stratosphere, and our government is very aware of this and can do no-thing about it. The Andromedians have inspired prophets and philosophers alike. Their teachings have been perverted and manipulated to control the masses and enslave the people, and this has been allowed. These beings are of a positive orientation.
Pleiadians: These beings reside and come from the star constellation named the Pleiades. There are seven stars in the Pleiades, and these beings come from the star known as Taygeta. Out of the nine planets that orbit this star, only four are inhabited with living beings. Their home world is the planet Erra, which is very similar to our planet earth. They share the same plant and animal life as on earth, and their days are only six tenths of a second less than on earth. These beings are millions of years older than earthlings, and are more spiritually advanced than earth beings. The typical lifespan of a Pleiadian is 700 years or more as only 400 million people reside on the planet Erra, as opposed to the extremely over population of earth which is above 6 billion. There is no dishonesty on Erra as their form of communication is through telepathy. The basic necessities of life are provided freely, as there is no need for money, wealth, and power. Pleiadians resemble earth beings, the only difference is lighter skin. The Galactic Federation of Light consists of many entities from the Pleiades, as the GFL is our main ally in the battle to save our planet from certain destruction The Pleiadians are of a positive orientation. Grey
Greys: There are many variations of the Grey species found in this universe, you may have seen this species depicted in popular film media as the short grey aliens with huge bulging black eyes. The Greys originally started out as tall blond-haired humanoids in the Rigel system, but were subject to heavy nuclear radiation over long periods of time. This changed their DNA and glandular structure dramatically, which caused them to devolve into their current form. This nuclear exchange occurred approximately 300,000 years ago. These beings are nocturnal, as their eyes are very sensitive to ultraviolet light. They have the ability to control their heart rate, and their brains have more lobes than that of a human brain. These beings communicate telepathically as they only have a horizontal slit for a mouth, and function in a hive mind like manner. These beings have problems with their digestive system, and they compensate that by absorbing glandular secretions through their skin from animals they abduct, as well as semen extracts from human beings in nocturnal emissions or abductions as well. These beings co-operate with our current governmental structures for reasons of global domination and control. They replace world leaders that are against this cause, with clones and hybrid Grey entities. These beings are of a neutral orientation, as they can perceive human emotions but do not comprehend what they mean to us.
Reptilian Reptilians: This race of beings, is perhaps the greatest threat to humanity today, as it had been for hundreds of thousands of years in the past. Many years ago, the ancient astronauts of our planet were engaged in a fierce battle with these beings, and the Annunaki Reptilians were forced into underground caverns where the battle continued until most of these beings were destroyed, though a few survived and are present in our world today as you read this article. There is a global cover-up of the existence of this race of beings. The dinosaur bones claimed to be of massive beasts from prehistoric periods may actually be the remains of the Reptilians destroyed in the ancient battle. These beings have long heads with vertical slit pupils, most of the reptilian hierarchy of the previous ages are green or brown, yet there are those who survived and evolved in the deep and dark caverns of the earth that have mutated into an albino white form.
The reptilians have set up various bases on the earth as well as inside of Venus, and many other locations throughout the galaxy as they are a conquering race. These beings have no regard for humans as they eat us like we eat chicken, there are numerous underground facilities with massive storage rooms of human cadavers. These beings are not dependant on humans as a source of food though, as their main form of booty is the gold of our world that sustains the environment of their home world. They do not fear humans as they consider themselves far more superior in intelligence and beauty than us, they view us a repulsive and disgusting looking creatures. The Bush family and many of their associates are reported to be the humanoid reptilians of our day, as well as many members of English and British royalty. These beings are of a negative orientation.
Visit us for more information on information ranging from the New World Order Conspiracy Theories as well as Metaphysical Science and occult Magic at these links.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmy_Jump
Astrology: The Rising Sign
When your Astrological Chart is drawn up by the astrologer according to the information you have given of your birth date, time of birth and also the place of birth, it appears as a large circular disc with a smaller one in the centre in which the individual is symbolically placed. The larger circle of 360° is usually equally divided into 12 segments of 30° like equal slices of a cake. Each of the 12 segments is known as a 'house' with the first one being that on the left and just below the horizon or horizontal in the chart. Numbering anticlockwise, the twelve houses are represented in sequence and named according to their numerical place - First House, Second House and so on. Sometimes the Rising Sign may appear as only a few degrees above the horizon and at other times 28° or more. When it is sharing the influence of the next sign rising as in these latter degrees to the 30° it is called "on the cusp" and the characteristics of that Rising Sign are modified by those of the one following. The Rising sign is strongest in its essential characteristics the closer it is to the 15° or midway point.
The zodiacal sign in which the Sun is placed at your birth is what is commonly called your Sun Sign, Birth Sign or astrological sign. The symbol for the Sun is immediately placed appropriately in the sign and the degree that it occupied at the moment of your birth .All the other planets will also be placed according to their actual astronomical position.
At the beginning of each house is one of the zodiacal signs which dominates that particular house. The ruling or dominant sign governing the first house, once it has been established by astronomical calculation, is placed on the Chart on the left hand horizontal and this is called your 'Rising Sign'. Only an astrological chart drawn with scientific accuracy can determine the exact degree of the Rising Sign.
For example, let us call that zodiacal Rising Sign, Aries. The rest of the zodiacal signs are then placed in their natural order and in anticlockwise fashion around the circle of the Chart, to finish with the sign Pisces shown as ruling the 12th House, situated above the horizon, just as Aries is below.
Basically this means when you begin to consider your personal make-up there are two main factors to consider, not just the one. Even though your Sun sign (your known Birth Sign) may be Cancer, you must take into account that Aries will also play a dominant role in your nature, particularly regarding your physical appearance, your outer personality and many of your instinctive reactions to life events. In this case although you may be highly emotional, as indicated by Cancer, you will have very strong outgoing energies and attitudes which are positive and very different from the more sensitive person you are inside. You will have an outer appearance of forceful, direct and more adventurous personality than the quieter soul you know as your true nature.
Most of us start life with these two different and often opposing influences inherent in our personality and in our potential psychological equipment. Our Rising sign is different from our Sun sign. We have to come to understand this mix of influences and absorb the best of the energies of each into our own intelligent blend of characteristics. We must make a study of both these signs in our first attempt to understand how astrology reveals our main character traits, as they represent the constituents in our unique and complex recipe of human nature.
But of course there are also many cases where both the Sun sign and the Rising sign, because of astronomical configurations, will be the same. In which case, there is an intensification of all the traits and no moderating influences and a Taurean person with Taurus also as the Rising sign will show classical virtues and faults of a Taurean - a double Taurean so to say! It is certain that such an individual will know that the clues to his nature and his life will be found through study of the Taurean energies and principles.
It is the degree of the Rising Sign which accents or moderates the characteristics association with that sign, according to the distance between its neighbouring signs. So with 1 degree Aries rising there would be still the strong influence of Pisces. As the qualities of Pisces are very different from Aries, in character analysis this factor would have to be taken into consideration. With 28-30° Aries rising, one would have to add the strong up and coming influence of Taurus which, in this case would add some caution to the rashness of the Aries nature.
The factor of the Sun Sign and the Rising Sign and their proper interpretation is very interesting subject which has been the focus of a great deal of research over the last century or so. There is ample evidence to show that certain definite features and circumstances will be common to those persons having similar factors in their birth charts. This helps you to feel confident when seeking to clarify particular details.
Many come to know that the Sun sign is what you come into the world with regarding your talents, soul purposes and spiritual attitudes and the Rising Sign is the indicator of our physical appearance and outer personality - the tool through which our soul expresses itself.
The Rising sign strongly influences some aspects of our appearance (as to whether we are fair, dark and some influence over proportion and facial features). It affects our health, giving us clearly defined physical strengths and weaknesses. It accents all personality likes, dislikes, attitudes and attributes to frequently describe how different a personality you are compared with your siblings - who were born at different times and sometimes different places.
So it is wise to study the energies and influences of both the Rising Sign and the Sun Sign in combination, in order to see which factors you feel accurately describe your personal make up. It is good to know at the outset what the opposing or conflicting elements in your character are likely to be. It is also helpful to know the positive, complementary qualities which you can use in a resourceful and positive manner.
Analysing another person's horoscope is very much like trying to distinguish the flavourings in a complex recipe of a cake - some of the separate ingredients may in time be identified but the ultimate flavour and taste are beyond any analysis, just as the work of coordinating and utilizing the various astrological energies is entirely a matter for the individual himself.
Analysing your own Chart is very different from reading the report of a professional. It requires you to be without bias which is almost impossible except regarding events and circumstances. However such an exercise has many rewards. It can make you aware of your qualities, both good and bad and encourage self improvement.
Interpreting astrological energies is a difficult task which is why many astrologers remain somewhat aloof from personal contact with the subject, preferring to use computer aids for the scientific preparation and to rely upon only one personal consultation for a reading.
Others liken it to psychology and their work of interpretation to the analogy of creating order out of pieces of a jigsaw - with each factor being just another piece to find a place for in the complex pattern of the personality. It cannot be emphasised enough, that Astrology is both a science and an art.
If you sincerely wish to understand the subject, there are many books covering various aspects and some courses which take you from a study of the zodiacal Signs and their associated qualities , to the placement of the other planets, the importance of the Moon upon your emotional nature, the relationship between the planets in the birth chart, the common link with parents and loved ones, health matters, good and bad fortune, relationships, interests and events and of course that which fascinates many people, their future. One must be cautious of taking notice of the general and often superficial comments in astrological newspaper columns. These often serve to denigrate the science.
Every professional astrologer should be well versed in setting up your personal chart providing you have a record of the exact time and the place of birth. Each individual astrologer has his own methods and system of interpreting your Chart. Many specialise in particular aspects such as health, relationships, character, future events and even weather prediction. It is important to find a good professional with considerable experience in the field of your own interest. In the meantime, be aware when reading of matters related to your Birth Sign or Sun Sign that you must also take into consideration the qualities of your Rising Sign.
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Astrology
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Michael Russell - EzineArticles Expert Author
The zodiacal sign in which the Sun is placed at your birth is what is commonly called your Sun Sign, Birth Sign or astrological sign. The symbol for the Sun is immediately placed appropriately in the sign and the degree that it occupied at the moment of your birth .All the other planets will also be placed according to their actual astronomical position.
At the beginning of each house is one of the zodiacal signs which dominates that particular house. The ruling or dominant sign governing the first house, once it has been established by astronomical calculation, is placed on the Chart on the left hand horizontal and this is called your 'Rising Sign'. Only an astrological chart drawn with scientific accuracy can determine the exact degree of the Rising Sign.
For example, let us call that zodiacal Rising Sign, Aries. The rest of the zodiacal signs are then placed in their natural order and in anticlockwise fashion around the circle of the Chart, to finish with the sign Pisces shown as ruling the 12th House, situated above the horizon, just as Aries is below.
Basically this means when you begin to consider your personal make-up there are two main factors to consider, not just the one. Even though your Sun sign (your known Birth Sign) may be Cancer, you must take into account that Aries will also play a dominant role in your nature, particularly regarding your physical appearance, your outer personality and many of your instinctive reactions to life events. In this case although you may be highly emotional, as indicated by Cancer, you will have very strong outgoing energies and attitudes which are positive and very different from the more sensitive person you are inside. You will have an outer appearance of forceful, direct and more adventurous personality than the quieter soul you know as your true nature.
Most of us start life with these two different and often opposing influences inherent in our personality and in our potential psychological equipment. Our Rising sign is different from our Sun sign. We have to come to understand this mix of influences and absorb the best of the energies of each into our own intelligent blend of characteristics. We must make a study of both these signs in our first attempt to understand how astrology reveals our main character traits, as they represent the constituents in our unique and complex recipe of human nature.
But of course there are also many cases where both the Sun sign and the Rising sign, because of astronomical configurations, will be the same. In which case, there is an intensification of all the traits and no moderating influences and a Taurean person with Taurus also as the Rising sign will show classical virtues and faults of a Taurean - a double Taurean so to say! It is certain that such an individual will know that the clues to his nature and his life will be found through study of the Taurean energies and principles.
It is the degree of the Rising Sign which accents or moderates the characteristics association with that sign, according to the distance between its neighbouring signs. So with 1 degree Aries rising there would be still the strong influence of Pisces. As the qualities of Pisces are very different from Aries, in character analysis this factor would have to be taken into consideration. With 28-30° Aries rising, one would have to add the strong up and coming influence of Taurus which, in this case would add some caution to the rashness of the Aries nature.
The factor of the Sun Sign and the Rising Sign and their proper interpretation is very interesting subject which has been the focus of a great deal of research over the last century or so. There is ample evidence to show that certain definite features and circumstances will be common to those persons having similar factors in their birth charts. This helps you to feel confident when seeking to clarify particular details.
Many come to know that the Sun sign is what you come into the world with regarding your talents, soul purposes and spiritual attitudes and the Rising Sign is the indicator of our physical appearance and outer personality - the tool through which our soul expresses itself.
The Rising sign strongly influences some aspects of our appearance (as to whether we are fair, dark and some influence over proportion and facial features). It affects our health, giving us clearly defined physical strengths and weaknesses. It accents all personality likes, dislikes, attitudes and attributes to frequently describe how different a personality you are compared with your siblings - who were born at different times and sometimes different places.
So it is wise to study the energies and influences of both the Rising Sign and the Sun Sign in combination, in order to see which factors you feel accurately describe your personal make up. It is good to know at the outset what the opposing or conflicting elements in your character are likely to be. It is also helpful to know the positive, complementary qualities which you can use in a resourceful and positive manner.
Analysing another person's horoscope is very much like trying to distinguish the flavourings in a complex recipe of a cake - some of the separate ingredients may in time be identified but the ultimate flavour and taste are beyond any analysis, just as the work of coordinating and utilizing the various astrological energies is entirely a matter for the individual himself.
Analysing your own Chart is very different from reading the report of a professional. It requires you to be without bias which is almost impossible except regarding events and circumstances. However such an exercise has many rewards. It can make you aware of your qualities, both good and bad and encourage self improvement.
Interpreting astrological energies is a difficult task which is why many astrologers remain somewhat aloof from personal contact with the subject, preferring to use computer aids for the scientific preparation and to rely upon only one personal consultation for a reading.
Others liken it to psychology and their work of interpretation to the analogy of creating order out of pieces of a jigsaw - with each factor being just another piece to find a place for in the complex pattern of the personality. It cannot be emphasised enough, that Astrology is both a science and an art.
If you sincerely wish to understand the subject, there are many books covering various aspects and some courses which take you from a study of the zodiacal Signs and their associated qualities , to the placement of the other planets, the importance of the Moon upon your emotional nature, the relationship between the planets in the birth chart, the common link with parents and loved ones, health matters, good and bad fortune, relationships, interests and events and of course that which fascinates many people, their future. One must be cautious of taking notice of the general and often superficial comments in astrological newspaper columns. These often serve to denigrate the science.
Every professional astrologer should be well versed in setting up your personal chart providing you have a record of the exact time and the place of birth. Each individual astrologer has his own methods and system of interpreting your Chart. Many specialise in particular aspects such as health, relationships, character, future events and even weather prediction. It is important to find a good professional with considerable experience in the field of your own interest. In the meantime, be aware when reading of matters related to your Birth Sign or Sun Sign that you must also take into consideration the qualities of your Rising Sign.
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Astrology
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Michael Russell - EzineArticles Expert Author
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