“Nik”: The Mesoamerican Representation of Zero (2021)

The concept of the Maya zero holds deep philosophical and mathematical significance for the Maya people. Represented through symbols like flowers and seeds, the zero symbolizes both the beginning and end, the absence of quantity, and a connection between the past and future. The Maya worldview of time, seen as cyclical, influences their mathematical concepts. The Maya zero, known as “Nik,” is found in ancient hieroglyphic inscriptions. The zero symbol holds complex meanings like death, center, and mother, reflecting the deep philosophical underpinnings of Maya culture. Today, the Maya zero represents the present moment, centering past and future in the unique Mayan languages.

https://baas.aas.org/pub/2021n1i336p03/release/2

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