Daily Life: The Calendar
Tirenia uses a calendar very similar to our own. It was first compiled by the Auromian Empire, who counted years from the ascension of the first Golden Emperor; years were called A. A., standing for Anno Auri (Golden Years). After the fall of the Empire and the coming of La Salvatrice, the count of years was restarted by the church, and years are now called A. S., standing for Anno Salvatricis (Year of the Saviour). The current year is 1016 A.S.
Every year is divided into thirteen months. Twelve of these months are normal months of 29 days, which is one cycle of Sorella Anziana, the yellow moon. The thirteenth month is a special holiday month held over the winter. It is designed to keep the year in track with Tellaia's movement around the sun, and is 17 days long, or 19 days long every eight years - which is one cycle of the moons Sorellina or Sorellona. The church is responsible for declaring when these extra two days are to be inserted into the calendar. The thirteen months are named after the constellations: Buletto, Trollo, Pegaso, Idro, Batticano, Lamio, Arpio, Giganto, Sfingo, Pesco and Carnevale (linked to the constellation of the dragon). Vanzenia is particular famous for its elaborate, some would say debauched, celebrations over Carnevale.
Each month is broken down into four weeks, with the first day of the month belonging to no week. The days of the week are named after each of the planets: Fortadi, Belladi, Amadi, Genadi, Musadi, Urbadi and Soladi, representing the sun, which is a day of rest and worship. There is no day for Morta, as that would be considered unlucky. The final day is Tassadi, which is for taxation, debt collection, auditing, and distribution of the dole. In addition to this, there are frequent Saints' Days, with each city celebrating its own patrons.
Every day is divided into 24 hours, which are simply counted numerically. The Church has its own system of organising a day, based on the different religious observances in it, but the secular hour-based system was promoted by the dragons to support commerce and lessen the influence of the church.
Every year is divided into thirteen months. Twelve of these months are normal months of 29 days, which is one cycle of Sorella Anziana, the yellow moon. The thirteenth month is a special holiday month held over the winter. It is designed to keep the year in track with Tellaia's movement around the sun, and is 17 days long, or 19 days long every eight years - which is one cycle of the moons Sorellina or Sorellona. The church is responsible for declaring when these extra two days are to be inserted into the calendar. The thirteen months are named after the constellations: Buletto, Trollo, Pegaso, Idro, Batticano, Lamio, Arpio, Giganto, Sfingo, Pesco and Carnevale (linked to the constellation of the dragon). Vanzenia is particular famous for its elaborate, some would say debauched, celebrations over Carnevale.
Each month is broken down into four weeks, with the first day of the month belonging to no week. The days of the week are named after each of the planets: Fortadi, Belladi, Amadi, Genadi, Musadi, Urbadi and Soladi, representing the sun, which is a day of rest and worship. There is no day for Morta, as that would be considered unlucky. The final day is Tassadi, which is for taxation, debt collection, auditing, and distribution of the dole. In addition to this, there are frequent Saints' Days, with each city celebrating its own patrons.
Every day is divided into 24 hours, which are simply counted numerically. The Church has its own system of organising a day, based on the different religious observances in it, but the secular hour-based system was promoted by the dragons to support commerce and lessen the influence of the church.
Art: Detail from 'The Duomo Clock.' Paolo Uccello, 1433.
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