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Mayan Calendar
Maya Fifth Sun
The ancient Maya used over 17 calendars to track cycles of the sun,
moon, planets, stars, seasons, and passage of time. They
cross-references calendars using the numerology of the Tzolk'in. This
sacred mystical count was numeric and held the key to cycles. It is said
that your level of spiritual mastery increases with the number of
calendars you know.
Tzolk'in: Sacred divinatory calendar that determines ceremonies and prophecies,
and synchronizes the other calendars. In its pure form it is strictly numeric, using a 13
(spirit) by 20 (form) combination. The multiples of 13 x 20 = 260 keep repeating
endlessly. When a count of 260 is reached, the calendar returns to its original
combination and starts over. In common usage the Tzolk'in count of 20 is attached to
the 20 Mayan day glyphs. However, indigenous experts report that this practice is an
error that began with Friar Diego de Landa and was perpetuated by archeologists such
as J. Eric Thompson and Sylvanus Morley.
Haab: Solar calendar tracking movements of the sun and its relationship with the
earth, such as solstices and equinoxes when energy projected over the earth is more or
less favorable. It consists of 18 "months" (uinal) of 20 days (kin) that were counted
from 0 to 19, the first day being the "seating of the uinal." This 18 x 20 count = 360
days. The Maya knew the exact length of the solar year (365.24 days) but retained
360 as the tun, a time period embedded into the Long Count Calendar. Evidence
supports a 360-day year among many ancient civilizations, reflecting a shorter earth
year prior to the solar system cataclysm of 11,500 years ago. The Maya added a short
5-day month to adjust the solar calendar, calling it uayab. The 5 uayab days are
unnamed and common lore says Mesoamerican peoples viewed them as unlucky.
Uc - Lunar calendar consisting of 13 moon cycles per year. The Mayas noted
whether these cycles were 28 or 29 days (actual lunar month is 29.53 days), and at
what point in the moon cycle a given event occurred. The moon cycle count is adjusted
at the full moon occurring closest to spring equinox. The Dresden Codex has an
eclipse table of 405 lunations, exactly equal to 46 Tzolk'ins. Nine Lords of the Night,
called Bolontiku, ruled each day in turn and were depicted before the lunar glyph.
Long Count: Continuous count of days from the assigned starting date of the last
Great Cycle, recorded by the Maya as 13.0.0.0.0 4 Ahau 8 Kumku, around 3000
BCE. It was used during the Preclassic through the Late Classic periods, the last
carved Long Count date yet discovered is at Tonina (10.4.0.0.0). By the GMT
correlation this is 909 CE. Correlating the Long Count to the Gregorian calendar
presents many challenges, with a range of over 600 years between proposed dating.
Issues around the accuracy of 2012 predictions arise from correlation questions. See
The Mayan Calendar and 2012.
Tunben K'ak: Calendar of the Earth for 52-year cycles, called the Calendar
Round, relates the Tzolk'in and Haab. Every 52 Haabs and 73 Tzolk'ins (18,980 days)
the original combination of day positions recurs. The 2 counts return to their original
starting position. At this time a "New Fire" ceremony was performed. All village fires
were extinguished during a ritual of fasting and prayers during the night. When the sun
rose the next morning, gifts were made to the gods and a new fire lit by priests, who
carried it to re-light hearths in the village.
Katun Count: A count of 20 tuns (19.71 solar years) at which monuments were
dedicated to commemorate katun endings. When the Maya stopped using the Long
Count, they kept a "short count" using only katuns, called u kahlay katunob. Each
20-tun period was named by its ending katun, such as Katun 8 ahau. Katun names
repeated every 260 tuns (256 years) leading to confusion about exact dating.
K'altun Count: Calendar for 260 tuns (256 years) related to Earth and
ceremonial cycles. Also called the may cycle, it marked important ceremonial periods.
The main ceremonial seat rotated among cities, changing every 256 years, with ritual
disempowering of monuments in the terminating city.
Venus Calendar: The Maya followed Venus (Noh Ek, Xux Ek) carefully,
tracking its appearances as morning and evening star and synods (conjunction with the
sun). Using a 584-day cycle (Venus synodic cycle = 583.92 days), after 5 cycles there
are exactly 8 Haabs and 99 lunations. Two Calendar Rounds equal 65 Venus cycles.
Mars, Jupiter and Saturn: A mysterious 819-day cycle originated at Palenque,
related to the 13 Gods of the Upper World, 9 Lords of the Underworld, and 7 Earth
Gods (7x9x13=819). It uses 21 (21x13x3) for synodic cycles of Jupiter (21x19 days)
and Saturn (21x18 days), and includes Mars synodic cycle (780 days = 3 Tzolk'ins.)
The 819-day cycle links with the 4 directions-colors to form a 3276-day cycle that
coordinates with the moon every 16 years.
moon, planets, stars, seasons, and passage of time. They
cross-references calendars using the numerology of the Tzolk'in. This
sacred mystical count was numeric and held the key to cycles. It is said
that your level of spiritual mastery increases with the number of
calendars you know.
Tzolk'in: Sacred divinatory calendar that determines ceremonies and prophecies,
and synchronizes the other calendars. In its pure form it is strictly numeric, using a 13
(spirit) by 20 (form) combination. The multiples of 13 x 20 = 260 keep repeating
endlessly. When a count of 260 is reached, the calendar returns to its original
combination and starts over. In common usage the Tzolk'in count of 20 is attached to
the 20 Mayan day glyphs. However, indigenous experts report that this practice is an
error that began with Friar Diego de Landa and was perpetuated by archeologists such
as J. Eric Thompson and Sylvanus Morley.
Haab: Solar calendar tracking movements of the sun and its relationship with the
earth, such as solstices and equinoxes when energy projected over the earth is more or
less favorable. It consists of 18 "months" (uinal) of 20 days (kin) that were counted
from 0 to 19, the first day being the "seating of the uinal." This 18 x 20 count = 360
days. The Maya knew the exact length of the solar year (365.24 days) but retained
360 as the tun, a time period embedded into the Long Count Calendar. Evidence
supports a 360-day year among many ancient civilizations, reflecting a shorter earth
year prior to the solar system cataclysm of 11,500 years ago. The Maya added a short
5-day month to adjust the solar calendar, calling it uayab. The 5 uayab days are
unnamed and common lore says Mesoamerican peoples viewed them as unlucky.
Uc - Lunar calendar consisting of 13 moon cycles per year. The Mayas noted
whether these cycles were 28 or 29 days (actual lunar month is 29.53 days), and at
what point in the moon cycle a given event occurred. The moon cycle count is adjusted
at the full moon occurring closest to spring equinox. The Dresden Codex has an
eclipse table of 405 lunations, exactly equal to 46 Tzolk'ins. Nine Lords of the Night,
called Bolontiku, ruled each day in turn and were depicted before the lunar glyph.
Long Count: Continuous count of days from the assigned starting date of the last
Great Cycle, recorded by the Maya as 13.0.0.0.0 4 Ahau 8 Kumku, around 3000
BCE. It was used during the Preclassic through the Late Classic periods, the last
carved Long Count date yet discovered is at Tonina (10.4.0.0.0). By the GMT
correlation this is 909 CE. Correlating the Long Count to the Gregorian calendar
presents many challenges, with a range of over 600 years between proposed dating.
Issues around the accuracy of 2012 predictions arise from correlation questions. See
The Mayan Calendar and 2012.
Tunben K'ak: Calendar of the Earth for 52-year cycles, called the Calendar
Round, relates the Tzolk'in and Haab. Every 52 Haabs and 73 Tzolk'ins (18,980 days)
the original combination of day positions recurs. The 2 counts return to their original
starting position. At this time a "New Fire" ceremony was performed. All village fires
were extinguished during a ritual of fasting and prayers during the night. When the sun
rose the next morning, gifts were made to the gods and a new fire lit by priests, who
carried it to re-light hearths in the village.
Katun Count: A count of 20 tuns (19.71 solar years) at which monuments were
dedicated to commemorate katun endings. When the Maya stopped using the Long
Count, they kept a "short count" using only katuns, called u kahlay katunob. Each
20-tun period was named by its ending katun, such as Katun 8 ahau. Katun names
repeated every 260 tuns (256 years) leading to confusion about exact dating.
K'altun Count: Calendar for 260 tuns (256 years) related to Earth and
ceremonial cycles. Also called the may cycle, it marked important ceremonial periods.
The main ceremonial seat rotated among cities, changing every 256 years, with ritual
disempowering of monuments in the terminating city.
Venus Calendar: The Maya followed Venus (Noh Ek, Xux Ek) carefully,
tracking its appearances as morning and evening star and synods (conjunction with the
sun). Using a 584-day cycle (Venus synodic cycle = 583.92 days), after 5 cycles there
are exactly 8 Haabs and 99 lunations. Two Calendar Rounds equal 65 Venus cycles.
Mars, Jupiter and Saturn: A mysterious 819-day cycle originated at Palenque,
related to the 13 Gods of the Upper World, 9 Lords of the Underworld, and 7 Earth
Gods (7x9x13=819). It uses 21 (21x13x3) for synodic cycles of Jupiter (21x19 days)
and Saturn (21x18 days), and includes Mars synodic cycle (780 days = 3 Tzolk'ins.)
The 819-day cycle links with the 4 directions-colors to form a 3276-day cycle that
coordinates with the moon every 16 years.
Select from the Navigation
Bar for the following:
Press Release: The Maya
Legacy and "Apocalypto"
Newspaper articles and
reviews
Book Cover: Dreaming the
Maya Fifth Sun
Short Synopsis Dreaming
the Maya Fifth Sun
Product Information
Endorsements
Author Biography
Bar for the following:
Press Release: The Maya
Legacy and "Apocalypto"
Newspaper articles and
reviews
Book Cover: Dreaming the
Maya Fifth Sun
Short Synopsis Dreaming
the Maya Fifth Sun
Product Information
Endorsements
Author Biography
Dresden Codex - Calendar glyphs and deities using hand signs