Earth/matriX
Science in Ancient Artwork


The Legend of the Four Suns

by

Charles William Johnson


Dedicated to
Dr. Miguel León Portilla

Table of Contents

The Legend of the Four Suns
  • Introduction.
  • The Aztec Calendar: The Five Suns.
  • The Four Suns: 2028 Years.
  • A Possible Relation Between the Numbers 485/584 and 676.
  • The 52-Year Cycles of the 676-Pattern Divided by the Total 2028.
  • The Vatican Codex and the Number 17125.
  • Observations.

THE LEGEND OF THE FOUR SUNS

by
Charles William Johnson


Introduction

In ancient mexica culture exists a legend about the four suns or periods of time in the past, whereby the people just prior to the Spanish conquest were living under the fifth sun. The Aztec Calendar portrays these four suns, alongwith the fifth sun:

THE AZTEC CALENDAR:
THE FIVE SUNS

The duration in time of each sun varies according to the cited source. Verbal legend or oral history has the periods as follows
:

1st Sun: nahui ocelotl lasted 676 years;
2nd Sun: nahui ehecatl lasted 364 years;
3rd Sun: nahui quiahuitl lasted 312 years; and
4th Sun: nahui atl lasted 676 years.


The fifth sun is said to be still in existence.

However, if one looks at some of the codices then the ages of each sun varies. The Chimalpopoca Codex places the same ages upon each of the first three suns, but states that the fourth sun lasted 728 years. In that case the total for the four suns would be 2080 years, while oral tradition would have the total at 2028 years.

The Codex of the Vatican 3738 would place the ages of each period or sun at much longer intervals:

1st Sun: matlactli atl lasted 4008 years;
2nd Sun: ehecatl lasted 410 years;
3rd Sun: tlequiyahuillo lasted 4081 years;and
4th Sun: tzontlilic lasted 5042 years according to the
narrator, while the codex itself shows 5026 years.


Such differences in the duration of each sun becomes quite intriguing as we revise the logic of the numbers. In this essay, we shall attempt to discern the possible meaning behind the numbers, in order to explore their internal logic. It seems difficult to understand how such enormous differences in the ages of the suns could have come about.

Since the historical record shows such obvious discrepancies, let us then examine the numbers in and of themselves, in relation to the ancient reckoning systems. The nature of the numbers, in some cases being multiples of the 52-year cycle, would appear to reflect knowledge within astronomy. However, the patterns established by the numbers, periods of equal or almost equal duration, would suggest that these numbers were chosen, and do not reflect the spontaneous character of history.

The question arises that if they are numbers that were consciously chosen, then why were they chosen. It would appear that the numbers were chosen to communicate specific ideas. In order to discern these ideas, we must analyze the nature of the numbers themselves.

The Four Suns: 2028 Years

The four suns refer to periods in time of ancient mexica culture, whereby those four worlds were destroyed; they refer to the dates of the time of those destructions. Nahui ocelotl, or four ocelotl, represents the time people were devoured by tigers. During nahui ehecatl, or four wind, the wind carried off the people and they became monkeys. In nahui quiahuitl, or four rain, the people were destroyed by fire and the men became chickens. And, finally, during nahui atl, or four water, the water lasted 52 years, and the people were destroyed and turned into fish. (One may possible consider that the codex Chimalpopoca cites the fourth sun as 728 years, thereby adding the 52 years of water to the 676 years of its duration).

We are in the fifth sun according to legend; the ollin tonatiuh, the sun of movement; four movement is its sign (nahui ollin), because it moves and follows its sign.

According to the legend, the first sun had its beginning 2513 years ago. The source for this statement stems from an affirmation on the 22nd of May, 1558 (León-Portilla). The versions vary: during the third sun those who lived then perished as it rained fire upon them; they became turkeys; etc. Under the fifth sun, the people would be destroyed by earthquakes and hunger.

For our analysis, we are interested in the dates cited: 2513 years since the beginning, and 1558 as the time of the stated legend; and, the different years of duration given for each sun or age.

In many ancient cultures, to have a specific time-frame for situating the beginning of time or of the ages, is of most significance. Debate continues to rage around the earliest dates of most cultures. One immediately becomes wary of the fact that such precision is cited in this case: that on the 22nd of May, 1558 oral/written history would have it that the beginning of the ages of the mexica culture occurred exactly 2513 years ago at that time. And, that such an affirmation is followed by a precise pattern of time periods only raises further doubts about the purpose of such a statement. There is a definite pattern in time regarding numerical values for the four suns:

I II III IV Total/Years
676 364 312 676 2028
676


Given what is known regarding ancient reckoning systems of Mesoamerica, the fact that the number 676 occurs three times, since the sum of 364 and 312 is also 676, would seem to be portraying a specific pattern. The legend also specifies that the first 676 years ended in the corresponding year 13. That means that 13 times 52-year cycles allows for the 676-year period. Hence, the entire four suns would equal 39 intervals of 52-year cycles (39 x 52 = 2028).

The author of the legend is emphasizing the numbers 676, 13 and 52 (regarding the length of the water in the fourth sun). The elements offered in the stated legend would appear to be formulating a puzzle, something that could possibly be analyzed, and decoded. The message, it would appear, was encoded in the numbered pattern, but it was encoded in order to be decoded, to be known and communicated.

According to the data offered in the legend, the beginning of the first sun would have been in 955 before our era; and the end of the fourth sun would have occurred in the year 1073 of our era.

Something that becomes quite significant is the fact that the year 1073 in precisely 485 years difference from the year of 1558 when the legend was stated in this version. The number 485 does not strike one as being initially of any significance. However, if one considers the possibility of ancient peoples as having mirrored the numbers as they mirrored images, then the number 485 may represent the fractal number of 584 for the synodic orbit of Venus. Now, the relevance of the numbers of 485 and 584 to the chosen pattern of 676 becomes quite obvious in the following illustration:

A Possible relation between the numbers 485/584 and 676
676
676 364 312 676
485 485 485 485
191 + 121 + 173 + 191 = 676

676
676 364 312 676
584 584 584 584
92 + 220 + 272 + 92 = 676

220 + 272 + 92 = 584

Such a relationship as that shown above between 485 and 676, and between 584 and 676, would somehow suggest a conscious design on the part of the individual who chose the 676-pattern for the legend in this version. There would appear to be a direct suggestion that upon viewing the 485-year period between 1073 and 1558, one might also comprehend a relationship with the 584-day count of Venus' synodic orbit.

Consider now the number offered for the beginning of the four suns, that of 2513 years. Is it not striking that the number 2513 contains the very multiples of the number 676: 13 x 52 = 676. Let us look at the number 2513 through the method of duplatio and mediatio, doubling and halving that value:


5270842976

2635071488

1317535744

658767872

329383936

164691968

82345984

41172992

20586496

10293248

5146624

2573312

1286656

643328

321664

160832

80416

40208

20104

10052

5026
2513

From the previous table one may observe how distinct patterns are suggested in this number, which reflect many different values relevant to ancient reckoning systems. One may detect the following patterns of constants and cycle numbers. The constants may refer to multiples of 4s, 20s, etc.; while the cycle numbers refer to the 52c and the 65c of Earth and Venus respectively.

52 76
26 88
13 44
65 72
32 36
16
8
4
2 96
48
24
12
128 6656
64 3328
32 1664
160 832
80 416
40 208
20 104
100 52
50 26
25 13

One might be inclined to think that such a coincidence of numbers, multiples and cycles are simply coincidence in fact; not a particular design. But, let us explore, then, the possible relationship behind the 676-pattern and the total value of 2028, which was chosen to specify the four suns and their ages. Let us divide each 52-year interval implied in the 676-year pattern by the total number of years of 2028. The following numbers obtain; again, notice the way in which the numbers are mirrored, or reflected upon themselves in the fractions.

The 52-year cycles of the 676-pattern divided by
the total 2028
2028/2028
1976/2028
1924/2028
1872/2028
1820/2028
1768/2028
1716/2028
1664/2028
1612/2028
1560/2028
1508/2028
1456/2028
1404/2028
1352/2028
1300/2028
1248/2028
1196/2028
1144/2028
1092/2028
1040/2028
988/2028
936/2028
884/2028
832/2028
780/2028
728/2028
676/2028
624/2028
572/2028
520/2028
468/2028
416/2028
364/2028
312/2028
260/2028
208/2028
156/2028
104/2028
52/2028
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
1.0
.97435 8 97435
.94871 7 94871
.92307 6 92307
.89743 5 89743
.87179 4 87179
.84615 3 84165
.82051 2 82051
.79487 1 79487
.76923 0 76923
.74358 9 74358
.71794 8 71794
.69230 7 69230
.66666 6 66666
.64102 5 64102
.61538 4 61538
.58974 3 58974
.56410 2 56410
.53846 1 53846
.51282 0 51282
.48717 9 48717
.46153 8 46153
.43589 7 43589
.41025 6 41025
.38461 5 38461
.35897 4 35897
.33333 3 33333
.30769 2 30769
.28205 1 28205
.25641 0 25641
.23076 9 23076
.20512 8 20512
.17948 7 17948
.15384 6 15384
.12820 5 12820
.10256 4 10256
.07692 3 07692
.05128 2 05128
.02564 1 02564


We have separated the lines of numbers at specific intervals for a better visual comprehension, as well as separating the numbers within the fractions. It would appear that the relationship of the 676-pattern is quite special to the number 2028. In fact, however, it merely represents the relationship of a progressive division of numbers 1-39 divided by the number 39. There is an obvious communication that the number 39 is of great significance to the 676 pattern. Obviously, the sum total of 52-year periods is 39 for the entire time-frame of the four suns. But, one would surely ask what might be so special about the number 39 in terms of ancient ages.

Given that the ancient ages, or four suns, themselves appear to have been chosen by design, it might suggest that there is no significance in fact. Possibly, the significance lies elsewhere, outside the realm of legend and ancient story-telling about the beginning of the ages, or the beginning of the four suns. Before we explore such a possibility, let us analyze the second version under study regarding the four suns as stated in the Vatican Codex.

The Vatican Codex and the Number 17125

In the Vatican Codex we saw that the numbers offered for the ages of the four suns varied greatly from those of traditional legend. The Vatican Codex makes no mention of the fifth sun, but offers the ages of the four suns as 4008, 4010, 4081 and 5026 years respectively, which total 17125 years. The narrator's version that states that the fourth sun consisted of 5042 years will be dealt with later.

These numbers do not seem to obey the 676-pattern, nor even ressemble it in any manner; it were as though the author was referring to totally different themes. However, from the perspective of numbers, these valences may reflect a certain logic of their own. In such long periods of time, it is striking that there would be such a precision in offering, for example, the number 4081. One must surely ask how such precision was kept in counting off over seventeen thousand years, that one might account for a single year, down to 4081.

There are many patterns and designs which might be suggested by these four numbers. For example, immediately one can recognize the number 2513 years of the 676-pattern in the number 5026 of this version.

2513 x 2 = 5026


Only now, this particular valence refers to the fourth sun, and not to the beginning of time or of the four ages; that is the total value of the four ages or suns. Again, such a similarity of numbers would suggest a purpose, and possibly again the purpose of the 5026 number is to convey the same pattern of constants and cycle numbers that we observed earlier in the 2513 table of numbers. For as we double and halve the value of 5026, we obtain the same numbers of the 2513 value.

Now, what could be so interesting regarding the values of 4008, 4010 and 4081, which seem to establish a pattern distinct from the 5026 value of the fourth sun in this version? The values of 8, 10, and 81 would appear to be quite detached from the 4000-value of each age. Now, if we divide 8 and 10 by the number 81, something very significant appears:

8 divided by 81 = .0987654320 ...
10 divided by 81 = .123456790 ...


In this case, it were as though the author of this version were conveying a pattern for the direction of numbers, which in this case reflects a direction of time. Each case reflects the infinity of numbers, or the infinity of time, backwards and forwards in time, as it were:

0.0987654320 ...
.123456790 ...


8/81 and 10/81, in this sense, would both reflect specific constant relationships of numbers.

There are many other possibilities, however, we shall offer only a few for possible consideration as constituting patterns and designs within this particular version. Consider, for example, the numbers in isolation as 4000, 4000 and 5000, without the specific constant numbers of, respectively, 8, 10, 81 and 26.

I II III IV Total/years
4000 + 4000 + 4000 + 5000 = 17000

Now, consider the following expression of these values in terms of the 365 day-count and the 584 day-count:

17000 x 365 = 6205000
6205000 divided by 584 =10625

Let us remember that the relation or ratio of Venus orbits to Earth orbits is .625: five orbits of Venus to eight orbits of Earth:

5 divided by 8 = .625


Also, in an earlier essay we have established that the cycle period for the 365c is 416-years. Consider the values given for this version of the four suns:

5000 divided by 12000 =.416666666666

In other words, dividing the fourth sun by the total values of the first three suns produces a fractal of 416.

By far, the most significant coincidence of numbers may be observed regarding the implied total value of years in the number 17125:
+
4008
4010
4081

5026
 
 
 
 
17125
years

The particular number that we obtained in the previous exercise of 10625 may have seemed to have stretched a point. But, when we consider the exact amount of 17125 in multiplying this value by 365 and 584, we see that that particular number seems to be confirmed as being significant:

17125 x 584 = 10001000
17125 x 365 = 6250625

Now, let us look at the complete multiplication table of the different counts (365c and 584c) doubled and halved in relation to their being multiplied by 17125:

Venus
17125 x 73 = 125 0 125
17125 x 146 = 250 0 250
17125 x 292 = 500 0 500
17125 x 584 = 1000 1 000
17125 x 1168 = 2000 2 000
17125 x 2336 = 4000 4 000
Earth
17125 x 182.5 = 312 5 312.5
17125 x 365 = 625 0 625
17125 x 730 = 1250 1 250
17125 x 1460 = 2500 2 500
17125 x 2920 = 5000 5 000
17125 x 5840 = 1001 0 000

In ancient reckoning systems of Mesoamerica, the number of years was multiplied by the number of days. Surely such patterns were obviously known by them. In fact, we are suggesting that the numbers in the codices reflect these patterns in a very conscious and knowledgeable manner. The often cited numbers of the four suns are not in fact at odds with one another. Nor do they represent mistakes in calculation. Quite the opposite; they represent designs and patterns of communication through mathematical logic.

Observations

The legend of the four suns, followed by the fifth sun, is most undoubtedly a reflection of ancient belief, and possibly founded in history. To what extent, however, do the numbers of the versions of the codices and tradition reflect a faithful representation of the original legend may never be known. The 676-pattern is cited in this version as having been annotated in 1558; 37 years after the conquest of Mexico.

Aside from the obvious relationship of constant numbers (multiples of 4s, 10s, etc.), and cycle numbers (52, 65, 73, etc.) in the dates and periods cited for the four suns, might there not be another aspect assigned to these numbers? The patterns and designs appear to represent certain numbers as having specific significance.

One could also see these numbers as enshrouding an identification of specific numbers that were significant then, in post-conquest Mexico.

For example, the number 5042 cited for the fourth sun in the Vatican Codex, when halved, yields the number 2521. The last three digits are extremely relevant for that time. Had the value been set at 3042, then its halve value would have been precisely 1521; the year of conquest. But, possibly the number 3042 may have been all too obvious then; while 5042 could have served a similar purpose, of conveying the extremely important digits of '521, without citing the milllenium.

That may have been the case for the 485 number as well, for it was surely known then that Hernan Cortes was born in 1485. Again, including the implied year-value of '485 years as the year in which the four suns came to an end, and the fifth sun began, surely could be interpreted as of tremendous value at that time. It would be extremely logical to consider that the four suns of the ancient culture ended with the birth of its conqueror.

That leaves the number 39. Of what significance could it have been in historical terms of the times? Coincidentally, the beginning of the conquest in 1519 is exactly 39 years from 1558 when the 676-pattern was affirmed. In terms of metaphor, those 39 years of conquest would equal the 39 52-year cycles (= 2028 years) of the four suns; each year of conquest would be like one 52-year period of ancient splendour.

And, possibly, the number 39 was chosen to make this statement in 1558, in the time of post-conquest Mexico, since 39 is significantly the square-root of 1521:

39 x 39 =1521


Such a coincidence of numbers throughout the legends of their historical past, would seem to be far more based on their knowledge of mathematics and history, than on their knowledge of astronomy. The numbers of the legends appear to be related to astronomy, but possibly that was for appearance's sake only. The substance of the numbers reflected other concerns by that time.

*****************************************

©1995-2012 Copyrighted by Charles William Johnson. All Rights Reserved
Reproduction prohibited without written consent of the author.


Your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated:
e-mail: johnson@earthmatrix.com


Earth/matriX
Science in Ancient Artwork Nº.15
The Legend of the Four Suns
21 May 1995
©1995-2012 Copyrighted by Charles William Johnson. All Rights Reserved
Earth/matriX,
; USA
Reproduction prohibited without written consent of the author.



The Aztec Calendar: Math and Desig

THE AZTEC CALENDAR: MATH AND DESIGN

In the book The Aztec Calendar: Math and Design, Charles William Johnson examines the possible relationships between mathematics and geometry. The historically significant numbers may reflect progressions which in turn may be translated into geometrical figures and designs. No one knows for certain how the Aztec Calendar may have been read or interpreted. Its simbolic design is striking and has intrigued scholars for centuries. The Aztec Calendar: Math and Design explores the stone's elements and rings in relation to their spatial divisions in an attempt to discern a possible method of computation, using the historically significant numbers of the ancient reckoning system. The book promotes the existence of specific mathematical posits that the geometrical spatial division of the calendar's elements appear to obey.

Purchase and download original 2005 published version.
PDF file 183 Pages
ISBN 1-58616-375-2
Price $9.63US

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ISBN 1-58616-182-2

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