Calendar Dial
From a cyclical to a linear notion of time
But why were all these elements given such a prominent place on the 'Calendar Dial'? To explain its many differences with our 21st-century clocks, we must fast forward through time. The 'Calendar Dial' dates from circa 1500. In those days, time was conceived as a cycle that constantly repeated itself. Astrology was also very popular and people assumed that the planets influenced every aspect of their lives. This calendar dial thus provides a wealth of information about medieval thought, one essential characteristic of which was the seamless unity of human beings, time, nature, and the universe. In God’s creation, everything was connected to everything else.
The importance of astrology later waned and it was reduced to mere superstition. Starting in the 18th century, the cyclical notion of time was also gradually replaced by a linear perspective. This caused a cultural revolution, leading people to discover and appreciate their history and the importance of their own heritage.