Monday, July 1, 2013

Why Chichen Itza Is Dubbed As The Maya Garden Of Eden

By Frank D. Gardner


The magnificent Chichen Itza was built by the Maya in the sixth century A.D. which sits in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico; it is among the biggest tourist attractions in the country.

Renowned as one of the new wonders of the world, Chichen Itza is in Yucatan and an archeological site; it is comprises of pyramids and temples.By visiting the ruins you would actually see how they have made their buildings based on a sober style and less of ornaments.

After that, the military buildings were erected by the Toltecs that took Chichen Itza to neglect and oblivion.

Chichen Itza And What It Represents

The Pyramid of Kukulcan has a square base of fifty five meters and reaches up to twenty 24 meters; it is the main building in Chichen Itza.

The pyramid is likely the representation of the Mayan calendar. Having the meaning, "at the edge of the well with the Itza, the name Chichen Itza has Mayan roots. The Pyramid of Kukulcan is one of the essential archeological sites in the Peninsula of Yucatan, in the municipality of Tinum, in the State of Yucatan, made around the year 525 AD. During the end of the classic period, Chichen Itza turned out to be the most important political center of the region.

Historians believe that the primary buildings of Chichen Itza were ruined after the 11th century and then reconstructed, because of its long suffering of violence between ethnicities.

The Kukulkan Pyramid - The Main Building Of Chichen Itza

The chief building on the Chichen Itza esplanade is the Kukulcan pyramid, referred to as "The Castle", one of many most exceptional buildings of the Mayan architecture.

Apart from having four sides, it has on top a rectangular temple. It is in fact 24 meters high and a pyramid built on a 55 meters platform. You can find on each side, a ladder that reaches the temple.

While in the temple visitors find the sculpture of Chac Mool and also a red painted jaguar throne.

The pyramid or building is the representation of the Mayan calendar, mainly because each side has 91 steps, which multiplied by four give 364, plus one, represented by the platform, make 365 steps, just like the days of the Mayan calendar , believed by the anthropologist to be dedicated to the sun god.

The location whereby the Ball Game was played

The pyramid in addition has a special location under the astronomy once the early spring and fall arrive as the visitor is able to see the 'Feathered Serpent' descending the stairs in the direction of the Sacred Cenote, on a play of light and shadow.

The ball game was long viewed as a ceremony where they depicted a duality of Venus, the wind and the sun. So many think that the losing team was sacrificed as it had been defeated, while others think that the winning team was sacrificed mainly because winners had the honor to be sacrificed.

In the ball game, only the best warriors are allowed to participate. Kings and priests occupy the area around as they are made to for them to watch the game.

The Temple of the Jaguar

Carved snakes and jaguar figures can be found in the series of stone columns inside the temple. Remains inside the temple can be found which tells a story about a big war.

Temple of Skulls

Information about Temple of Skulls

In addition, the temple of the skulls has a 'T' like platform which is carved with skulls that are like skulls of humans. Another that can be found are the representation of eagles flying toward human torsos to devour. Heads of people killed are used to be placed in this temple platform.

Platform of Venus

What these days is regarded as Venus, the Moon and the sun, were fundamental stars for the Maya. Also, images of the gods' mother of the 'Coatlicue' and the snake woman 'Cihuacoatl' exists on the platform.

Sacred Cenote

Measuring 65 meters in diameter and is 35 meters deep, the sacred cenote was the Maya heart of the religious activities. In the Sacred Cenote, ceremonial offerings to the god of water, consisting mainly of gold pieces, core and fabric were thrown.

In the year 2007, Chichen Itza was named to be among the new 7 wonders of the world. In ending this article, we conclude that the Maya had a skill for architecture, as in their prime time they developed outstanding structures using only the materials found during the time.

An indication of their wonderful intellect and talent to build tends to be that the buildings are still in great condition while still delighting people. Their constructions became a part of the new wonders of the world because they are proven to be wonderful.

Chichen Itza is one of the very best sightseeing attractions that characterize this glorious country, appealing untold numbers of people from around the world for what is thought by the government a good edge to the economy of Mexico.

Duende Tours offers an amazing flight tour to Chichen Itza.




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