A comparative exploration of the solar cycle celestial alignments of Sajikdan and Templo Mayor

A comparative analysis reveals that both Sajikdan (Jongmyo Shrine, Korea) and Templo Mayor (Tenochtitlan, Mexico) exhibit celestial alignments tied to solar cycles, despite their distinct cultural origins. While Templo Mayor's 7° south-of-east orientation marks the equinox sunrise between its twin temples—linking it to Tenochtitlan's urban layout—the cause of Sajikdan's 29° clockwise tilt remains undocumented. Inferential analysis suggests a possible alignment with the winter solstice, symbolizing the yin-yang transition in Joseon Dynasty cosmology. This study underscores how distant civilizations encoded astronomical, symbolic, and political dimensions into their ritual landscapes, offering new insights into the intersection of architecture, astronomy, and culture.

Jang, S. (2025). A comparative exploration of the solar cycle celestial alignments of Sajikdan and Templo Mayor. Legado de Arquitectura Y Diseño, 20(37). https://doi.org/10.36677/legado.v20i37.25644