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Xiuhmolpilli, engraved aztec bracelet in sterling silver
"Xiuhmolpilli" is an open silver bracelet finely engraved with an Aztec motif and words of encouragement. This unique piece of jewelry is a custom order, designed especially for a client who wished to commemorate a loved one’s 52nd birthday with a symbol rich in meaning and history.
The Aztecs, one of the greatest pre-Hispanic civilizations of Mesoamerica, primarily occupied what is now the capital of Mexico, Mexico-Tenochtitlan. The term "Xiuhmolpilli" refers to a significant Aztec ceremony, which can be translated as "binding of the years." This ceremony, celebrated every 52 years, coincides with the recipient’s age. It marks the convergence of the two main calendars used by the Aztecs: the "tonalpohualli" (a 260-day cycle) and the "xiuhpohualli" (a 365-day cycle), thus inaugurating a new temporal cycle.
At the end of this cycle, the Aztecs performed the "New Fire" ceremony. The xiuhmolpilli, literally a bundle of tied sticks, symbolized these 52 years. Often, at the center of this bundle was the date marking the end of the cycle, flanked on each side by the calendar signs associated with major deities such as "Tezcatlipoca" and "Huitzilopochtli."
The New Fire ceremony was a ritual event of paramount importance to the Aztecs. Every 52 years, the inhabitants of Mexico-Tenochtitlan discarded images of their gods, household utensils, and extinguished all fires in their homes and temples. Plunged into total darkness, the city watched as fire priests left the Great Temple and headed towards "Huixachtlan" (Cerro de la Estrella). At the summit of this hill, a ceremony was conducted to ignite a new fire, a symbol of renewal and hope. This ritual provoked great anxiety among the population, who believed that failure to ignite the new fire would mean the end of the world, with stars transforming into monsters devouring humanity.
This wide silver bracelet features a glyph at its center symbolizing the New Fire ceremony. Framed by the words of encouragement "Let go" and "Live now," it invites the wearer to embrace the present and release the past. Finely engraved wave motifs on either side of the Aztec glyph symbolize tranquility and release, essential elements for leading a serene and balanced life.
Metal: sterling silver.
As we currently dwell in Mexico, provide a period of 3 to 6 weeks to receive your order for free with normal post service. Thank you for taking this information into account before ordering in our shop. At checkout, you will also have the option of choosing an express shipping. (please, read the complete conditions of shipping here).
You have a question? Contact us.
I hope you will love this jewel as much as I enjoyed creating it.
By Emmanuelle Guyon.
Tags: jewel, glyph, Aztec, bracelet, ceremony, ritual, ancient, encouragement, symbol, fire, wave, ocean, sea, tranquility, handmade, Mexican, artisan, America, Mesoamerica, pre-Columbian, pre-Hispanic, Mexico, Tonalpohualli, Xiuhpohualli, Tezcatlipoca, Huitzilopochtli, god, culture, date, life, live, renewal, Tenochtitlan, Mexico City, calendar, birthday, New Fire, 52 years, cycle, motivation, engraved bracelet, codex, writing.
