Final answer:
The Aztec calendar stone, also known as the Sun Stone, depicts the fifth sun in the center, which might symbolize the sun god Tonatiuh or the night sun Yohualtonatiuh. It represents the Aztec's mythical history and cosmology, with imagery related to their five suns myth, ritual sacrifice, and important calendrical symbols.
Step-by-step explanation:
The celestial body represented on the Aztec calendar stone, also known as the Sun Stone, is believed to be the sun. This monumental sculpture illustrates the Aztec myth of the five suns, where the central disc depicts the fifth sun, under which the Aztecs lived. The face at the center, often associated with the sun god Tonatiuh, features an obsidian blade for a tongue symbolizing human sacrifice necessary for the sun's journey across the sky. The surrounding squares feature the symbols of the four previous suns, and the entire stone is rich with other symbolic imagery such as the Ollin (movement) and two fire serpents encircling the 20 day names.
The significance of the Sun Stone extends beyond its central depiction. The various elements integrated into the design reflect the complex Aztec cosmology, including references to historical dates, such as the glyph for 13-Reed (1427), and the pervasive theme of ritual sacrifice as seen through the representative claws and jaguar heads suggesting the offering of hearts.
Different interpretations exist regarding the principal figure on the Sun Stone. It might represent the sun deity during the day, at night, or even an earth monster. However, the widespread belief is that it illustrates either the sun god Tonatiuh or the night sun Yohualtonatiuh, embodying the Aztec's deeply rooted interconnection between their deities, cosmic events, and ritual practices.