Thousands enjoy the phenomenon of the spring equinox in Chichen Itza

Mérida (Mexico), 21 Mar Triangles of light and shadow illuminate the northern part of the castle of Chichén Itza -ruins located in the eastern state of Yucatan-, resembling the descent of Kukulcán, the god of Mayan culture that arrives annually during the spring equinox to fertilize the earth, astonishing the thousands of attendees. Every equinox (boreal), in the Chichen Itza area, you can see a phenomenon on the steps of the pyramid that resembles the moving shadow of Kukulcán, the feathered serpent and deity of wind and water in Mayan mythology. The archaeo-astronomical phenomenon was seen in all its glory at 16.56 hours (21.56 GMT) and captivated visitors from various parts of the world. The power of the sun's rays energizes local, national and foreign visitors, attracted by the hierophany (manifestation of the sacred) of the Maya that continues to captivate new generations, as well as priests, dignitaries and other characters of the pre-Hispanic elite. Romanian tourist Alexandra and American Briana from Atlanta, consider in an interview with Efe “interesting” and “beautiful” the descent of Kukulcán. Their first time in Yucatan has filled them with “energy and good vibes”. “I feel happy,” explains the Romanian. “It is undoubtedly a hierophany because it is a manifestation of the sacred with technological and agricultural principles related to astronomy and that knowledge is present, it symbolizes the form of union with the novel past that is maintained in the rooted and strong form among the current Mayan community”, tells Efe Orlando Casares, a specialist in the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) of Mexico. “The beauty of the phenomenon of the descent of Kukulcán is that it allows us to continue the rupture that occurred with the conquest of the Spaniards, because the roots of Mayan culture are so strong that they survived their cycles of burning, preparing the land, planting and harvesting,” he explains. The author of the book “The Castle of Chichén Itza: Its Astronomical and Agricultural Significance” (2020) says that the descent of Kukulcán is directly linked to the traditional practices of the Mayans: “they are based on their extremely high knowledge”. For the Yucatecan astronomer and mathematician Eddie Salazar Gamboa, in this post-covid-19 year, Kukulcán is generous, because the phenomenon was recorded since March 16 and will end on March 26, not only during the spring equinox (March 20). INAH authorities will allow visitors to pass on 19, 20 and 21 March, but only 11,000 people per day, although the epidemiological traffic light is green - low risk of contagion. This Monday, an ambulance suddenly entered and crossed the esplanade of the archaeological site of Chichen Itza surprising the thousands of tourists who were waiting for the descent of the Feathered Serpent. The mobilization of the elements was due to the fact that a bull ant bit a Chilean tourist and had to be moved because of the danger of the bite of this insect.