2012 and All That
(Aug. 20, 2009) Dec. 21, 2012, marks a happy coincidence of the winter solstice with a notable turning of the Mayan calendar. The “long count” calendar, used from approximately 200 to 900 A.D., can be found represented on literally hundreds of Mayan stelae in Mexico and Central America. It’s a remarkable system for designating the exact date by counting the number of days from the start of their calendar — Aug. 11, 3114 B.C. by our calendar is their Day Zero.
The Mayan word for a day is k’in.
20 k’ins = 1 winal
18 winals = 1 tun
20 tuns = 1 k‘atun
20 k’atuns = 1 b’ak’tun (or pik). That is 140,000 days, or about 394 years.
If you’re reading this on Aug. 20, 2009, that’s Mayan day 12.19.16.11.1 (12 b’ak’tuns + 19 k’atuns + 15 tuns + 11 winals + 1 k’in).
Why, you may wonder, didn’t they adopt a straight base-20 system, where each place to the left denotes a 20-fold multiplier (analogous to our base-10 system)? Perhaps, one theory goes, the 360-day tun represents 18 months of 20 days followed by an intercalary five-day “month” to approximate an astronomical year.
→ post a comment
Recent field notes
Feb. 2
Not Your Father’s Evolution
Jan. 26
North Rules
Jan. 19
Symbiosis: Evolved Evolution
Today
Winter Classic Table Tennis Tournament
sports / 11:30 a.m. Arcata Community Center, 321 Community Parkway. Compete in 12 and under, beginners, intermediate, advanced or seniors groupings. Prizes for winners. $10/$5 kids 12 and under. 601-5447.
Audubon Society Field Trip
outdoors / 9 a.m. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 1020 Ranch Road, Loleta. Meet at Refuge Visitor Center off Hookton Road. Leisurely, two- to three-hour trip intended for people wanting to learn birds of Humboldt Bay area. 822-3613.
Open Celtic Music Session
music / 3 p.m. Cafe Veritas/Mosgo's, 180 Westwood Center, Arcata. Informal monthly gathering of musicians playing Irish and other Celtic music. Hosted by Seabury Gould. seaburygould.com. 845-8167.
Nonviolence Action Camp
etc. / 10 a.m. Chinmaya Mission near Piercy. Weekend-long direct action orientation features workshops, role playing, seminars, ceremonies and field trips. Bring food, bedding, warm clothes, signs, banners, bikes, drums, acoustic instruments. Pre-register. saverichardsongrove.org. 932-5898.
More →
0 Comments