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The Stone of Five Suns

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The Stone of Five Suns

The Stone of Five suns refers to an enormous basalt disk covered entirely with

hieroglyphic carvings of what was interpreted as calendar signs and other Aztec myths of

creation. The calendar was a ceremonial altar linked to the sun god Aztec, Tonatiuh, and all the

festivities dedicated to him. The center bears the image of god Tonatiuh placed in the Ollin sign

to demonstrate movement while depicting the Fifth Sun (Morán, 2016). Tonatiuh’s hand holds a

human heart with his tongue representing an obsidian knife. The symbol indicates that a sacrifice

was required to allow the sun to continue with its movement.

Most importantly, Tonatiuh’s image is encircled by a ring that contains cosmological and

calendrical symbols. The rings have the 20 days of the then Aztec sacred calendar popular

known as Tonalpohualli that merges with thirteen numbers to make the 260-day year. The other

outer ring has boxes with five dots, which represents the Aztec week that had five days (Morán,

2016). The two fire serpents at the sides of the disk carry the sun god during his daily movement

through the sky.

Aztecs were famous for using vivid imagery and bright colors to convey their religion

and culture. The common materials used in creating objects included feathers, glass beads,

shells, and gemstones. Aztec gods and religion were central to Aztec art. For instance, the

“Tlaloc Vessel” discovered in Aztec Temple represents the Aztec god Tlaloc. Symbolism also

played a critical role in Aztec art, with the natural world featuring in many Aztec Art pieces

(Morán, 2016). Animals such as Toads, serpents, jaguars, shells, and more represented deeper

meaning. Aztec society had classes, and different classes wore different clothing. For instance,

the ornate clothing belonged to the high priests, royalty, and nobility. Sandals also belonged to
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the nobility, and commoners were not allowed to wear them. Commoners walked barefoot as

sandals were a sign of status in the Aztec society.

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Reference

Morán, E. (2016). Sacred consumption: food and ritual in Aztec art and culture. University of

Texas Press.