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Chichen Itza is a Myan ruin named by its close proximity to the mouth of a well. It is a three hour drive from the water taxi terminal in Cancun and we used the services of a tour company which also gave us an English-speaking guide. This site has been voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and for us lived up to its new status.
The site was founded around 400 AD and after 500 years was conquered by a Toltec calling himself Kukulcan. His symbol was a plumed serpent. When the Spanish arrived in the 1500’s, this site was abandoned. Much speculation about why this happened, some say there wasn’t enough food to support the large cities, others say the people got fed up with the unfair rule, revolted and left to form small Mayan settlements. |
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Most impressive to us is the Pyramid of Kukulcan pictured above. It represents the Mayan calander and is constructed of 91 steps leading to the top on each side with the final platform at the top. This figures to be: 91 x 4 = 364 +1( the step at the top ) = 365 days in the year. Each side has 52 panels representing the 52 year cosmic cycle which marks the end of the old and the beginning of the new cycle. There is much more to it than this but We really do not understand it all and there are books written on the subject if you want to know more.
A couple of interesting features: At the equinoxes, a triangular shaped shadow slowly slithers up or down the side of the pyramid to join a carved snakes head showing the time to plant and the time to harvest.
Most amazing to us was that when you clap your hands loudly in front of the Pyramid, A loud squawking sound emanates from the top as if the ancient serpent is still answering. It used to respond to drums during the ceremonies. |
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These serpent heads are similar to the ones at the base of the North stairs -- the ones on the left side of the picture to the right. |
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There are three platforms to the North of the Pyramid, Venus, Eagles and Jaguars ( the two warrior classes ), and the Tzompantil where human heads were hung to frighten and control. |
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