The New Fire Ceremony: 52 Years Has Passed

All Aztecs know that every 52 years there is a ceremony very special to us Aztecs. It is the ceremony of New Fire. Most people get to see it once in their lifetime, which is a very big deal. This ceremony is very important to us because it is predicted that every 52 years the world might end because of fires, earthquakes, floods or wind. So, we see if the world will end by doing the New Fire ceremony. For those who this is the first time seeing the ceremony, there are many things to do and remember. On the night of the ceremony, every fire in Tenochtitlan is extinguished, even the holy fires that have been burning for 52 years straight. Everyone is then required to destroy their precious belongings. Everything must be replaced by new objects, if the sun rises again, that is. That night, people don't sleep- well you can but we can't imagine why you would want to. Then comes the most important part of the ceremony. Every person walks to the Iztapalapa, a place about 5 miles away, a hill with a twisted summit, the hill of the star. There, priests stand on top of the hill and on the open breast of a sacrificed victim, they try to light a fire using the mamalu aztli. If the fire burns, it means that the world won't end for another 52 years. Then all the people watching have to use a thorn to draw blood from their ears and throw in the direction of the fire. Lastly, messengers carry the New Fire to all the four cardinal points. Everyone celebrates with dancing, drinking and music. People also eat tzialli, the bread of joy. Everything is renewed. But, if the fire does not light, then the sun does not rise. If the sun does not rise, hideous sky spirits called Tzitzimime come down to Earth and eat us. Children and pregnant women are required to put on masks of maguey fiber, called axayacatl, so they don't turn into monsters and eat their neighbors. Overall, the ceremony of New Fire is very sacred and important. The ceremony is on the day before Sun-Day and let us pray that the fire lights and the world does not end.

*Note that is it mandatory that everyone is present at the Iztapalapa or they will receive a trial and most likely be sacrificed.

#NewFire