Temple of Kukulcán Secret: There’s a Large Snake Coming Right At You
Kukulcán actually does make an appearance twice a year. The sun has to be shining and in just the right spot. During the spring and autumn equinox, the sun hits the stepped portion of the pyramid, casting a shadow against the tall, steep staircase wall. The shadow stops at the sculpted snake head at the base of the staircase. This looks like a serpent slithering down the side of the building.
As the sun moves across the sky, shadows change to give it slow ‘movement’ as the day moves into night. Whether the illusion was designed on purpose or a happy coincidence is a mystery. When the crowds gather to see Kukulcán and receive his blessing, they are actually seeing the phenomenon of his moving from the heavens into the underworld, through optical illusion and good sunlight.
