Calendar of Calendars

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Summary

This group project was part of an academic course, aimed at telling the story of calendars and their evolution over time, in a calendar.

Duration

7 Days

Category

Visual Communication, Storytelling, Illustration, Augmented Reality

INTRODUCTION

Limited by the space on the paper, there wasn't enough space to display the illustration, dates and the information together. That's where the augmented reality aspect, as suggested by Divyansh comes in. We could display animations, information and dates all together in one space through an Instagram filter.

This project started from an idea by Raghav about telling the story of calendars from different eras and geographical locations. After initial ideation the medium of storytelling was decided as a calendar too, displaying the story of evolution of calendars using illustrations and text in 12 parts with each month of the current calendar. Limited by the space on the paper, there wasn't enough space to display the illustration, dates and the information together. That's where the augmented reality aspect, as suggested by Divyansh comes in. We could display animations, information and dates all together in one space through an Instagram filter.

MY ILLUSTRATIONS

MY ROLE

I was in charge of creating the above three illustrations, as well as the motion graphic that is displayed at the top of the page. I also helped with laying out and typesetting of the final calendar. Look at the whole project below.

I was in charge of creating the above three illustrations, as well as the motion graphic that is displayed at the top of the page. I also helped with laying out and typesetting of the final calendar.

Look at the whole project below.

THE CALENDAR OF CALENDARS

MESOAMERICA

Maya calendar is a system of calendars used in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica modern-day Mexico. In this system, two calendars simultaneously used TZOLK’ IN and HAAB’. The Tzolk’ in was a 260-day calendar with 13 months of 20 days each. Tzolk’ in Calendar was used in day-to-day life, with more distant dates kept with the Haab’ Calendar. The Haab’ Calendar was a 365-day calendar with 18 months of 20 days each with five days at the end of the year called wayeb’ (‘nameless days’). Foster (2002) writes, “During Wayeb, portals between the mortal realm and the Underworld dissolved. No boundaries prevented the ill-intending deities from causing disasters.” To ward off these evil spirits, the Maya had customs and rituals they practised during Wayeb’. For example, people avoided leaving their houses and washing or combing their hair. Both calendars ran in a 52 Haab’ years’ cycle, with the calendars lining at the end of this 52-year Calendar round.

Maya calendar used in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica had two calendars: Tzolk'in (260 days) for daily use and Haab' (365 days) for distant dates. Wayeb' were five nameless days, believed to be dangerous. The calendars ran in a 52-year cycle.

ANCIENT CHINA

In its many forms, the Chinese Calendar predates even the idea of a formal calendar in the western sphere. First evidence of the 365-day Calendar appeared around 700 BCE. Calendars in China represented not just a timekeeping device but a tool of soft power, with several dynasties coming up with interpretations. The Warring states came up with different calendars to protest and reflect their sphere of influence. These calendars are known as the six ancient calendars, GU LIU LI, or quarter-remainder calendars since they all calculate a year as 365 +1⁄4 days long. Months begin on the day of the new moon, and a year has 12 or 13 months. Intercalary months (a 13th month) were added to the end of the year.

The Chinese Calendar predates western calendars, with evidence of a 365-day calendar appearing around 700 BCE. It served as a tool of soft power, with different dynasties using it for interpretations. The six ancient calendars, or GU LIU LI, calculate a year as 365 +1⁄4 days long, with 12 or 13 months starting on the day of the new moon.

MEDIEVAL CHINA

The first unified Chinese Calendar, called NONGLI Ri li by the Chinese, appeared around 200 BCE as the country united under the Qin dynasty. Several changes were made to the Calendar, reflecting the development in timekeeping and understanding of the world. Several dynasties added their findings. But sadly, with the fall of the Qin dynasty and the rule of dynasties, the official Calendar changed from the storied Chinese Calendar ingrained in Chinese people to the Gregorian Calendar. While the Gregorian Calendar was the global de facto, it has failed to cater to Chinese needs.

The first unified Chinese Calendar,
NONGLI Rì lì, appeared under the Qin dynasty around 200 BCE, but with the fall of dynasties, it was replaced by the Gregorian Calendar, which doesn't cater to Chinese needs.

VEDIC INDIA

The Hindu calendar, or PANCHANG, is a lunisolar calendar used in Hinduism and derivatives by Buddhists and Jains. It follows the sidereal year, the time it takes the Earth to complete one orbit around the sun relative to the fixed stars. The Calendar has several regional variations and consists of 12 lunar months, with an extra leap month, added approximately every three years. This Calendar is used to determine religious holidays, festivals, and rituals. The Hindu calendar was created during the Vedic era with Accurate measurements of the year calculated by Aryabhatta around the 5th century. In the medieval era tradition of fine timekeeping was kept alive through Jantar Mantar.

The Hindu calendar, or Panchang, is a lunisolar calendar used in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, with regional variations. It follows the sidereal year, consists of 12 lunar months, and has an extra leap month added approximately every three years. It's used to determine religious holidays and festivals and was created during the Vedic era with accurate measurements of the year calculated by Aryabhatta in the 5th century.

MAMLUK SULTANATE

The HIJRI calendar is the Islamic Calendar based on the lunar year. It consists of 12 lunar months and has a year length of 354 or 355 days. The Hijri calendar determines the dates of Islamic holidays and observances, such as Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. The Calendar was introduced in 638 CE by the second Caliph, Umar al-Makki, and is still used as the official Calendar in many Muslim- majority countries. The Hijri calendar is approximately 11 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian Calendar. The Hijri calendar used the year 622 CE as its starting year.

The Hijri calendar is based on the lunar year and has 12 lunar months with a year length of 354 or 355 days. It determines Islamic holidays and was introduced by the second Caliph in 638 CE, with the year 622 CE as its starting year. It's still used in many Muslim-majority countries and is approximately 11 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian Calendar.

ANCIENT ROME

The JULIAN calendar was developed to fix the shortcomings of the old Roman Calendar, which had 355 or 374 days in alternate years. Julius Caesar, who led the development of this Calendar, sought help from astronomers and mathematicians from as far as Alexandria and Egypt. He developed a calendar with an average year of 365.25 days, with every fourth year being a leap year. The Julian calendar was implemented on the 1st of January, 45 BC. The flexibility of the Roman Calendar allowed the politicians of the time to change the Calendar according to their needs, so in his reform, Julius Caesar fixed the Calendar. What appeared, as a result, was the first Calendar resembling what we use today.

The Julian calendar was developed by Julius Caesar to fix the shortcomings of the old Roman calendar, with an average year of 365.25 days and a leap year every fourth year. It was implemented on January 1, 45 BC and was the first calendar resembling what we use today.

MEDIEVAL ROME

The GREGORIAN calendar is the Calendar used in most parts of the world. It was introduced in October 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII as a modification of, and replacement for, the Julian calendar. Julian’s algorithm had caused the Calendar to drift such that the (Northern) spring equinox occurred well before its nominal 21st of March date. This date was essential to the Christian churches because it is fundamental to calculating the date of Easter. To reinstate the association, the reform advanced the date by ten days. Thursday the 4th of October 1582 was followed by Friday the 15th of October 1582. In this new Calendar, every 100th year was not a leap year even though it was divisible by 4. Every 400th year was a leap year. Another change was that the months of Quintilis and Sextilis were renamed to July and August to honour the names of Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar.

The Gregorian calendar replaced the Julian calendar in 1582 to correct its drifting and make the spring equinox fall on March 21.

It also introduced new leap year rules and renamed two months to July and August.

The Gregorian calendar replaced the Julian calendar in 1582 to correct its drifting and make the spring equinox fall on March 21.

It also introduced new leap year rules and renamed two months to July and August.

COLONIAL EUROPE

The Spread of the Gregorian Calendar correlated with the colonial civilisation’s mission. First was the adoption by the catholic nations, followed by the protestant nations. But then, as their influence spread, they started conquering the ‘uncivilised’ world. Colonisers enforced their Gregorian Calendar onto their subjects. Soon the old traditional calendars fell out of use as colonial powers took reign. Without anyone standardising the Gregorian Calendar, this became the de facto.

The Gregorian Calendar spread through colonialism, adopted by Catholic and Protestant nations and enforced onto colonized societies.

ETHIOPIA

The Ethiopian Calendar, or the GE’EZ, is an offshoot of the Julian calendar. It believes Christ was born in 7 BC according to the Gregorian Calendar and not 0 AD like the rest of the world. That is why it’s still 2016 in Ethiopia. It comprises 13 months, 12 months, of 30 days each. The last month, called Pagume, has five days and six days in a leap year. The Gregorian Calendar failed to reach Ethiopia due to the failure of European powers to colonise it. While the Italians had invaded it, Ethiopians fought back and crushed the evasion. Today the Ethiopian Calendar stands as a symbol of national unity and helps illustrate a world where multiple calendars can operate in tandem.

The Ethiopian Calendar is based on the Julian Calendar and comprises 13 months with 12 months of 30 days each. It is unique because it believes Christ was born in 7 BC and not 0 AD. The calendar is a symbol of national unity in Ethiopia and demonstrates a world with multiple calendars.

ANCIENT EYGPT

The COPTIC calendar was used in ancient Egypt based on the solar year. It consisted of 12 months of 30 days each, with five extra days added at the end of the year to align with the solar year. The Calendar was introduced around 5000 years ago and is considered one of the oldest calendars in human history. It was used to keep track of the seasons and agricultural activities and mark important events such as religious festivals and the reigns of pharaohs. The ancient Egyptians developed a sophisticated system of astronomy, which was crucial in determining the dates of their Calendar. The Egyptian Calendar continued to be used until the adoption of the Coptic and Islamic calendars in more recent times. The notable aspect of the Egyptian Calendar is that it existed parallel to the Julian and Roman calendars even though trade and knowledge flowed freely between Egyptian and Roman empires.

The ancient COPTIC calendar was used in Egypt and had 12 months of 30 days plus five extra days. It's considered one of the oldest calendars and was based on astronomy. It marked important events and was used until the adoption of the Coptic and Islamic calendars.

NORTH KOREA

The JUCHE calendar is the official Calendar used in North Korea. It was introduced in 1997, after the death of North Korean leader Kim Il-sung, and is based on the birth date of Kim Il-sung, the 15th of April 1912. The Calendar starts counting years from 1912 and is used for official documents and keeping track of birthdays, anniversaries, and other important events. The Juche calendar is based on the Gregorian Calendar and uses the same months and days, but the year number differs. The Juche calendar is the only Calendar that uses the year of birth of a political leader as its starting point. It symbolises North Korea’s unique political ideology, known as Juche.

The Juche calendar is North Korea's official calendar, based on the birth date of former leader Kim Il-sung, and uses the Gregorian months and days.

MODERN INDIA

The Indian National Calendar, sometimes referred to as the SAKA calendar, was formed by the Calendar Reform Committee in 1957 to formalise the Hindu calendar regarding the length of the months and to coincide the leap years with that of the Gregorian Calendar. This was necessary as many festivals followed the Hindu calendar, and coordinating dates with the Gregorian Calendar was difficult. The years are counted following the Saka Era, starting from 79 CE. The year begins on the 22nd of March, and on Leap years, it starts on the 21st of March. The month names are derived from the Hindu Calendar months. The Gazette of India primarily uses the Indian Calendar and All India Radio.

The Indian National Calendar, also known as the SAKA calendar, was created in 1957 to synchronize the Hindu calendar with the Gregorian calendar. It uses the Saka Era and begins on March 22nd.

Colophon

The font used in this project is Blinker by Jürgen Huber from SuperType. Multiple images were referred to create the artworks and illustrations. The AR implementation of this project is still in progress due to limitations with Meta Spark AR. The tools used are Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign.

Project Guide

Prof. Aditi Chitre

Course

DE208 | Design, Storytelling and Narratives