MAYAN CALENDAR: DESCRIPTION, HOW IT WORKS, SYSTEMS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The Mayan calendar is the measurement system used by some Central American aborigines to understand the course of time. Its structure was cyclical and was developed with the purpose of organizing the course of life.

This system of order and measurements is known for its symmetry and accuracy, which is why it has been categorized as a scientific work. This was because it accurately showed the translations of the moon and the sun around the earth, aspects that indicated which were the fertile or arid cycles.

The Mayan calendar was a measurement system used by some Central American aborigines to understand the course of time. Source: Andres Suarez123000

In other words, it exhibited how the stars determined the daily life and character of men. The Mayans examined the changes that occurred in each period and portrayed them in a kind of yearbook, whose primary element was calculations.

In this way, it is perceived that this ethnic group demonstrated great dominance in the mathematical field and in the astronomical field. In addition, he managed to expose the distance between individuals and constellations, an event that centuries later would be very important for physics.

The Mayan calendar was not only a means of specifying the possible duration of existence or revealing which were the appropriate days to perform rituals and labor ceremonies; it was also appreciated as a philosophical treatise. This treatise sought to guide the physical and spiritual reality of beings, as well as to balance nature with the cosmos.

Origin

The origin of the Mayan calendar is still unknown. However, anthropologists say that it was possibly created during the classical period, which began in 200 AD. C. and ended in the first decade of 900 d. C.

To justify their hypothesis, the researchers relied on the stelae they found in the territories of Tikal and Uaxactún, located in Guatemala. In the monolithics found some fundamental dates for the Central American tribe are described.

For example, the uinal pop, which referred to the new year; the uinal zip was the month in which the gods were invoked; and the uinal uo were the weeks dedicated to prayer. Possibly, these signs were the first manifestations of the measurement system.

Another essential document is the text of "Chumayel", which is one of the chapters of the Chilam Balam. This manuscript was written in colonial times and it details the prophecies disseminated by shamans in the initial stage of the Mayan civilization.

Historians reveal that these predictions were related to the sidereal cycles and therefore to the formation of the temporal itinerary. Therefore, the calendar is as old as the indigenous population, since it was the representation of their perceptions.

Legacy worldview

The project of wanting to structure time is part of the collective imagination. For this reason, it should be noted that the Mayan people were not the first to forge a calendar, since they inherited the idea of ​​the Zapotecs.

The Zapotecs were aborigines who in the middle of the XV century BC. C. established the first division of the annual period, dividing it into 18 months of 20 days each. Furthermore, they designated that the last week was additional because it was designed to purify the spirit through rites.

However, the Zapotec ethnic group managed to fragment the year cycle thanks to the knowledge transmitted to it by the Olmecs, a tribe that pointed out when one year ended and another began. This event was determined by studying the stars and their movements.

Thus, it is perceived that the measurement system was based on the worldview of indigenous peoples, which was spread throughout the generations. The difference was that the castes recreated the temporal itineraries according to their customs or discoveries.

Description

The Mayans perceived that time was not continuous, for that reason they established two methods of measurement instead of one. The first calendar was identified as being civil, while the second was characterized by its sacred conception. Both intertwined every 18,980 days.

In fact, periods resumed every 52 years; moment in which the new fire was celebrated or another century began. It is worth emphasizing that these systems made up the calendar wheel, an instrument that was made up of three circles.

As a unit, the wheel represented the four corners of the world and the external and internal spaces of reality. The central ring - which was the smallest - comprised 13 numbers, which indicated the passage of weeks. Instead, the composition of the higher planes was as follows:

Second ring

The median orbit of the calendar was surrounded by 20 symbols, which were linked to some deity or a natural element. It is worth mentioning that the glyphs indicated the days. Thus it will be observed below:

-Imix: the portrayed figure is a container with water.

-Ik: his sign is an open window.

-Akbal: in the image a bat and a macaw are opposed.

-Kan: it is a hammock and on it is the net to collect corn.

-Chicchan: it is a coiled snake with its gaze directed towards the horizon.

-Cimi: they are scattered curves that come together, symbolizing life and death.

-Manik: they are two lines on a white background, possibly they are the pillars that support the universe.

-Lamat: is the figuration of the planet Venus or sunset.

-Muluc: it is the representation of the jade stone.

-Oc: it is the staff that is woven by the tail of a dog. Around it there are four points that connect the cosmos with the empirical world.

-Chuen: is the tape of time that unravels and plunges into the earth.

-Eb: it is the exposition of a path.

-Ben: is the growth of crops horizontally.

-Ix: the symbol shows the heart of the earth, as well as the face and footprint of a jaguar.

-Men: in the drawing the head of the golden eagle is externalized.

-Cib: it is a loop that communicates to the souls.

-Caban: shows a cave and certain lines that are allegories of earthquakes.

-Etznab: reflects the tip of the dagger and the pyramid is in front.

-Cauac: they are two mounds divided by a line.

-Ahua: presents the warrior's face, has a beard and round lips.

Third ring

In the broadest ring, 365 days a year are exhibited, which were divided into 19 months. Each disc has a different spelling where the names of the monthly periods are described, these were:

-Pop: mat.

-Uo: murmur.

-Zip: spirit.

-Zotz: bat.

-Tzec: skull.

-Xul: dog.

-Yaxkin: new sun.

-Mol: ancient sun.

-Chen: darkness.

-Yax: dawn.

-Zac: rain.

-Ceh: hunting.

-Mac: absence.

-Kankin: jaguar.

-Muwan: owl.

-Pax: sowing.

-Kayab: turtle.

-Cumku: cooking.

-Wayeb: visions.

How does the Mayan calendar work?

The Mayans considered that time moved like a snake. So they created and joined various measurement systems that had zigzagging structures. Despite the fact that the year as a whole had 19 months, the first phase ended when 260 days had elapsed.

However, the cycle did not end until 18,980 days took place. That is, the century began when the sacred almanac rotated 73 times around the civil calendar, while the latter circled 52 times.

Following this aspect, it is fair to emphasize that the measurement itinerary designed by this ethnic group consisted of five units:

-Kin: 1 day.

-Uinal: 20 days.

-Tun: 360 days.

-Katun: 7,200 days.

-Baktun: 144,000 days.

Therefore, the entire period consisted of 13 baktuns, which was 5,125,366 years. After that time, another cosmic age began.

Dresden Codex showing an almanac. Source: Lacambalam

Systems

Focusing on their mathematical and astronomical knowledge, the Mayans developed three calendars that marked various time cycles. These systems were governed by astral translations and the usual tasks of the aborigines:

Haab

Haab Months

This measurement system was known for its social character, as it guided people's actions. It indicated when it was wise to cultivate, weave, make sculptures, and erect homes. Besides, it was focused on solar motion.

This calendar comprised 365 days, which were divided into 19 months. However, 18 months were made up of 20 days, while the last period only had 4 days. During those hours, daily activities stopped.

Now, for this ethnic group, the monthly lapses began to be numbered from zero. Therefore, it was stated that the current era began on the 0 kin of the 4 ahua and 8 cumku. According to the Gregorian almanac, these data referred to August 13, 3114 BC. C.

Tzolkin

The tzolkin was the religious calendar. It was linked to the translation of Venus and consisted of 260 days, which incorporated 13 numbers and 20 symbolic days, which were repeated monthly. The purpose of this system was to determine the appropriate dates for the rituals and festive ceremonies.

Long count calendar

This system was used when the natives needed to measure the periods that exceeded 52 years; it was based on lunar cycles. This calendar allowed the five temporary units to be created. Generally, this medium was used to explain mythical events and organize historical events.

References

1. Broda, N. (2007). The pre-Hispanic calendars. Retrieved on December 3, 2019 from the Mexican Academy of History: acadmexhistoria.org.mx
2. Evans, B. (2004). The heart of the wisdom of the mayan people. Retrieved on December 3, 2019 from the Centro de Estudios Superiores de México y Centroamérica: cesmeca.mx
3. Heughan, S. (2012). Studies on the values ​​of the mayan ethnic group. Retrieved on December 3, 2019 from Department of History: history.columbia.edu
4. Murphy, C. (2008). The mayan calendar: scientific work? Retrieved on December 3, 2019 from the Department of Physics and Astronomy: ucl.ac.uk
5. Rivera, D. (2015). Worldview of the Mayans. Retrieved on December 3, 2019 from the Inter-American Indigenous Institute: dipublico.org
6. Sac, A. (2007). The sacred and civil Mayan calendar, method for counting time. Retrieved on December 3, 2019 from Universidad Rafael Landívar: url.edu.gt
7. Salazar, F. (2000). Beyond customs: cosmos, order and balance. Retrieved on December 3, 2019 from Instituto Cultural Quetzalcóatl: samaelgnosis.net