The solar eclipses that will occur on April 8, 2024 were important events that touched upon Mayan life and culture. In ancient times, two eclipses that occurred within a short period of time caused a violent reaction among astronomers, priests, and Mayan rulers.

Known for their astronomical abilities, the Mayans meticulously documented celestial movements and developed complex calendar systems. The timing of monumental structures to astronomical events such as solstices and equinoxes demonstrated a deep understanding of celestial mechanics.

An important element of their astronomical pursuits were codices, hieroglyphic texts such as the Dresden Codex that provide insight into their complex observational and prognostic capabilities.

With the help of these texts, modern researchers have unraveled how the Mayans tracked the lunar nodes and determined the seasons of solar eclipses, revealing their deep understanding of cosmic events.

So why spend so much time and effort chasing the sky?

Ancient Mayan rituals

Knowledge is power. Priests and rulers used knowledge of the cycles of cosmic events to perform rituals and offer sacrifices to the gods. This was to ensure that the cycles of destruction, regeneration and renewal continued.

In the Mayan belief system, sunset was associated with death and decay. Kinich Ahau, the sun god, makes a perilous journey through the Mayan underworld of Xibalba to be reborn every evening at sunrise. Solar eclipses were seen as “broken sun”, a sign of possible catastrophic death.

Kinich Ahau was associated with prosperity and order. Its brother Chak Eck (the morning star we now know as the planet Venus) was associated with war and discord. They had hostile relations and fought for supremacy.

Their battle could be seen from the sky. During a solar eclipse, planets, stars and sometimes comets could be seen. When placed correctly, Venus will shine brightly near the eclipsed Sun, which the Mayans interpreted as the attack of Chak Ek.

This is implied in the Dresden Codex, where the god Venus appears in tables of solar eclipses, and also in the coordination of solar eclipses with Venus cycles in the Madrid Codex, another complex Mayan book from the late 15th century.

When Kinich Ahau – the Sun – hid behind the Moon, the Mayans believed he was dying. Rituals of renewal (sacrifices) were necessary to restore balance and get it back on track.

Nobles, especially kings, made bloodless sacrifices to the Sun god, piercing their bodies and collecting drops of blood to burn. This “blood of kings” was the highest form of sacrifice aimed at strengthening Kinich-Ahau.

The Mayans believed that the creator gods gave their blood and mixed it with corn dough to create the first humans. In return, the nobles gave a small portion of their life force to feed the gods.