What is the Tzolkin?
The Tzolkin or Count of Days is a 260-day Sacred Calendar cycle developed by the
Maya approximately 2500 years ago. The origination date keeps getting pushed back
with so many recent archeological discoveries. There are just as many theories
about the origin of the Tzolkin as there are about its significance. Scholars believe it
to have originated during the PreClassic Period of the Mayas (1800 BCE – 250 AD). Its
existence and use is known because of the hieroglyphs found in ancient codices
(books) and the erection of large stone stelae with inscription dates showing the
beginning of the present world cycle as 3114 BCE. The Tzolkin has also been
preserved orally by some Maya living today in Guatemala and Mexico.
Maya approximately 2500 years ago. The origination date keeps getting pushed back
with so many recent archeological discoveries. There are just as many theories
about the origin of the Tzolkin as there are about its significance. Scholars believe it
to have originated during the PreClassic Period of the Mayas (1800 BCE – 250 AD). Its
existence and use is known because of the hieroglyphs found in ancient codices
(books) and the erection of large stone stelae with inscription dates showing the
beginning of the present world cycle as 3114 BCE. The Tzolkin has also been
preserved orally by some Maya living today in Guatemala and Mexico.
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Copyright 2007 by William and Viola Welsch
Tzolkin (zohl keen)
Each combination of the Number and Day Glyph repeats every 260 days. This creates
a matrix pattern of 7 “Days” and 6 “Nights” (13 columns of the Tzolkin). Each Day and
Night is composed of a 20-day Uinal cycle (13 x 20). Other patterns are also overlaid
on the initial framework of the Tzolkin (65 x 4, 52 x 5, 130 x 2, etc.).
The Maya considered the Tzolkin a Sacred Calendar. It wasn’t based on the measure
of the movement of the Earth around the Sun but rather the unique Sacred Energy
created by each combination of Number and Day Glyph. These 260 combinations are
also believed to reflect unique human characteristics and traits. To the Maya, their
Tzolkin Day Sign --or the day in the 260-day cycle on which they were born--
determined personal characteristics, spiritual destiny and sometimes even their
name.
Certain numbers, including 13 and 20, were considered Magical and Sacred by the
Maya. The Number 13 represented the number of levels or Heavens in the
Upperworld where certain Lords or Gods ruled. There are also 13 major joints in the
body. The Maya used a 20-base counting system believed to have originated from the
total number of human fingers and toes. Another theory is that 260 days reflected the
human gestation period. Perhaps the Maya felt that 13 and 20 symbolized the
connection between heaven and humanity.
The Tzolkin Count of Days was only one of many different calendars that the Maya
developed as master astronomers and mathematicians. Their calendars were multi-
level counts tracking precise movements of galactic astronomical cycles. While these
other calendars track Ordinary Time (linear), the Tzolkin has the distinction of
tracking Sacred Time. Sacred Time is defined as the moment of awareness that can
be enhanced or extended by following the river of energy consistent with the
energies present on that day. Maya Daykeepers and Shamans compared this measure
and movement of Sacred Energy to a river flowing past their doorstep. We know that
they used this Sacred Calendar for rituals, divination and personal astrology. When a
Shaman performed a ceremony or ritual, he entered Sacred Time.
All of the foregoing theories may just scratch the surface. Because of the multi-levels
of the Tzolkin, many of these theories may apply simultaneously. Regardless of the
origin of the Tzolkin, the Maya clearly used it to distinguish between Sacred Time and
Ordinary Time.
a matrix pattern of 7 “Days” and 6 “Nights” (13 columns of the Tzolkin). Each Day and
Night is composed of a 20-day Uinal cycle (13 x 20). Other patterns are also overlaid
on the initial framework of the Tzolkin (65 x 4, 52 x 5, 130 x 2, etc.).
The Maya considered the Tzolkin a Sacred Calendar. It wasn’t based on the measure
of the movement of the Earth around the Sun but rather the unique Sacred Energy
created by each combination of Number and Day Glyph. These 260 combinations are
also believed to reflect unique human characteristics and traits. To the Maya, their
Tzolkin Day Sign --or the day in the 260-day cycle on which they were born--
determined personal characteristics, spiritual destiny and sometimes even their
name.
Certain numbers, including 13 and 20, were considered Magical and Sacred by the
Maya. The Number 13 represented the number of levels or Heavens in the
Upperworld where certain Lords or Gods ruled. There are also 13 major joints in the
body. The Maya used a 20-base counting system believed to have originated from the
total number of human fingers and toes. Another theory is that 260 days reflected the
human gestation period. Perhaps the Maya felt that 13 and 20 symbolized the
connection between heaven and humanity.
The Tzolkin Count of Days was only one of many different calendars that the Maya
developed as master astronomers and mathematicians. Their calendars were multi-
level counts tracking precise movements of galactic astronomical cycles. While these
other calendars track Ordinary Time (linear), the Tzolkin has the distinction of
tracking Sacred Time. Sacred Time is defined as the moment of awareness that can
be enhanced or extended by following the river of energy consistent with the
energies present on that day. Maya Daykeepers and Shamans compared this measure
and movement of Sacred Energy to a river flowing past their doorstep. We know that
they used this Sacred Calendar for rituals, divination and personal astrology. When a
Shaman performed a ceremony or ritual, he entered Sacred Time.
All of the foregoing theories may just scratch the surface. Because of the multi-levels
of the Tzolkin, many of these theories may apply simultaneously. Regardless of the
origin of the Tzolkin, the Maya clearly used it to distinguish between Sacred Time and
Ordinary Time.