2006-07-27 08:35:50 · 12 answers · asked by e=mc2 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The end of the 13th b'ak'tun is conjectured to have been of great significance to the Maya, but does not necessarily mark the end of the world according to their beliefs, but a time of re-birth. According to the Popol Vuh, a book compiling details of creation accounts known to the Quiché Maya of the colonial-era highlands, we are living in the fourth world. The Popol Vuh describes the first three creations that the gods failed in making and the creation of the successful fourth world where men were placed. The Maya believed that the fourth world would end in catastrophe and the fifth and final world would be created that would signal the end of mankind.
The last creation ended on a long count of 13.0.0.0.0. Another 13.0.0.0.0 will occur on December 21, 2012, and it has been discussed in many New Age articles and books that this will be the end of this creation or something else entirely. However, the Maya abbreviated their long counts to just the last five vigesimal places. There were an infinite number of larger units that were usually not shown. When the larger units were shown (notably on a monument from Coba), the end of the last creation is expressed as 13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.0.0.0.0, where the units are obviously supposed to be 13s in all larger places. In this age we are only approaching 0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.13.0.0.0.0, and the larger places are nowhere near the 13s that would match the end of the last creation. (Schele and Friedel 1990: 430)
This is confirmed by a date from Palenque, which projects forward in time to 1.0.0.0.0.0, which will occur on October 13, 4772. The Classic Period Maya obviously did not believe that the end of this age would occur in 2012. According to the Maya, there will be a baktun ending in 2012, a significant event being the end of a 13th 400 year period, but not the end of the world.
2006-07-27 08:47:53 · answer #1 · answered by nzwlmmz16 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
The simple answer is: **it doesn't**. It's a misunderstanding. The 12th Baktun is ending, not the whole thing. Calendars don't end. Time doesn't end.
On December 21, 2012, the date on the Mayan Long Count calendar will be 13.00.00.00.00, the first day of the 13th Baktun (A baktun is 396 years long). No different from going from 1999 to 2000, really.
2006-07-28 10:43:14 · answer #2 · answered by Gevera Bert 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that is when the world is going to end according to them
12- 21- 2012
2006-07-27 15:39:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hello -
You ask a ? about one of my most favorite study subjects . . .
COOL -
Here's just one web site, to get you started. . . there's unlimited info on the net today - not like when I first began my research path.
Best wishes to you in learning about a marvelous mystery . . .
En Lakesh
PS - the most accepted theory today is NOT that the world will end on this date (Jose Arguelles who began this concept is a bit bizarre in his 'teachings') ---
only a 'grand cycle' of time --- ignorance is no longer bliss on this subject; just stupidity, and an unwillingness to learn.
2006-07-27 15:42:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its either the end of time or the aliens that some conspiracy types predict will come back.
2006-07-27 15:39:58 · answer #5 · answered by Biker 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that's when it is said that the world is going to end... 2012. didn't you see that national geographic video in 10th grade?
2006-07-27 15:38:35 · answer #6 · answered by Edith 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
maybe they just got sick of making the calender
2006-07-27 15:42:14 · answer #7 · answered by javajunkie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because they give you 6 years to buy a new one
2006-07-27 15:41:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They ran out of stone.
2006-07-27 15:38:59 · answer #9 · answered by Fantasy Girl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they don't believe in 13
2006-07-27 15:38:57 · answer #10 · answered by Not_Here 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋