Mystic Places

Purchase 3D model of the Chichen Itza pyramid here:
CHICHEN ITZA PHOTO-CD, 2007 CALENDAR, 3D MODEL, PRINTS...

 

EL CASTILLO - The Temple of Kukulcan, Chichén Itzá, Mexico 

The Mayans succeeded in an almost impossible mission with the completion of their structures at Chichén Itzá. A poetic combination of form, style, function, religion, philosophy, mathematics and geometry. A true symbiosis of all of their intelligence and art in one location, to be studied and admired by all that visit.

By far the most impressive structure of  the complex is the "Pyramid of Kukulcan" * (usually called "El Castillo").  This is a square-based, stepped pyramid approximately 30 meters tall (with the temple on top), constructed by the Mayans ca 1000-1200 AD, directly upon the multiple foundations of previous temples. It was mysteriously abandoned along with the surrounding city of Chichen Itza by
1400 AD.

The pyramid has special astronomical significance and layout.  Each face of the pyramid has a stairway with ninety-one steps, which together with the shared step of the platform at the top, add up to 365, the number of days in a year. These stairways also divide the nine terraces of each side of the pyramid into eighteen segments, representing the eighteen months of the Mayan calendar. 
The pyramid's design reflects the equinoxes and solstices of our solar year in a spectacular game of light and shadow. During the equinoxes, the setting sun casts a shadow of a serpent on the northern steps of the pyramid.

* Kukulcan is the Mayan name for the Feathered Serpent God (also known as Quetzalcoatl to the Aztecs).

For a thousand years, the slanting rays of the setting sun have played a spectacular
shadow and light game with this great Mayan pyramid. During the equinoxes, at the
appointed hour, the shadow of the Feathered Serpent, Kukulcan appears on the
northern stairway...and vanishes.

We have created an accurate computer model of "El Castillo" which allows to observe the shadow on the northern stairway for any day (and time) of the year. Please view few snapshots of our model showing light and shadow on March 21.  Do not miss the equinox light and shadow animation at the bottom of this page.

© World-Mysteries.com

Computer Model of El Castillo - the shadow of the Feathered Serpent
on the northern stairway on March 21

© World-Mysteries.com

Computer Model of El Castillo - the shadow of the Feathered Serpent
on the northern stairway on March 21 (different viewing angle)

© World-Mysteries.com

Computer Model of El Castillo - the shadow of the Feathered Serpent
on the northern stairway on March 21 - Detail (different viewing angle).
 

© World-Mysteries.com

Computer Model of El Castillo - Vernal Equinox Animation.

This animation can be viewed as: 
QuickTime Movie (452KB), and
Animated GIF (424KB)
 

* * *

Purchase 3D model of the Chichen Itza pyramid:
CHICHEN ITZA PHOTO-CD, 2007 CALENDAR, 3D MODEL, PRINTS...

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