2007-03-15 06:13:11 · 5 answers · asked by Tachirito 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
A very complete and highly technical answer is provided in: http://www.levity.com/eschaton/Why2012.html
More briefly:
The December 20, 2012, end of the 13th b'ak'tun is conjectured to have been of great significance to the Maya. It does not necessarily mark the end of the world, according to their beliefs, but a new beginning or 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 fifth world. The Popol Vuh describes the first four creations that the gods failed in making and the creation of the successful fifth world where men were placed.
The last creation ended on a long count of 12.19.19.17.19. Another 12.19.19.17.19 will occur on December 20th 2012, followed by the start of the thirteenth Baktun, 13.0.0.0.0, on December 21st. It has been discussed in many New Age articles and books that this will be the end of this creation, the next pole shift or something else entirely. The Classic Period Maya likely 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 the 13th 400 year period, but not the end of the world.
2007-03-15 06:35:31 · answer #1 · answered by CanProf 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What dralls4lyf said. The suggestion was that the Mayan Calendar would run out of dates at 2012 thus signifying the end of the world. To suggest that the Mayan calendar would run out of dates has about as much credibility as suggesting our calendar would run out of dates. It's a falsehood.
By Mayan beliefs, the conclusion of any calendar cycle was a big deal and could be the end of the world, that's why gods needed to be worshiped and appeased with offerings, ceremonies and new constructions. To convince them to let the world go on.
2007-03-15 07:57:17 · answer #2 · answered by Rockin' Mel S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Mayan Apocalpse in 2012 is clearly a story about the end of this world in its present form.
2007-03-15 08:18:42 · answer #3 · answered by endgame1915 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as I know... They didnt say the end of the world is coming.. I think they just stopped writting about the future after that date. Which leads people to say it's because the world will end in that year. But people and groups have been calling for the end of days since the very first day. Dont pay much mind to it.
2007-03-15 06:23:11 · answer #4 · answered by dralls4lyf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.levity.com/eschaton/Why2012.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_calendar
2007-03-15 06:30:10 · answer #5 · answered by tortiss 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋