How to Set and Understand Mayan Calendar Dates

The Tzolk'in (Sacred Calendar)

The Tzolk'in is a 260-day sacred calendar that combines 13 numbers (1-13) with 20 day names, creating 260 unique day designations (13 × 20 = 260). Each day is written as a number followed by a day name.

Example: 4 Ahau, 7 Imix, 13 Kan

The 20 day names in order are: Imix, Ik, Akbal, Kan, Chicchan, Cimi, Manik, Lamat, Muluc, Oc, Chuen, Eb, Ben, Ix, Men, Cib, Caban, Etznab, Cauac, and Ahau.

To advance one day in the Tzolk'in, you move to the next number and next day name. After 13, the numbers restart at 1. After Ahau (the 20th day name), the names restart at Imix.

The Haab' (Civil Calendar)

The Haab' is a 365-day solar calendar consisting of 18 months of 20 days each, plus a 5-day period called Wayeb', making a total of 365 days (18 × 20 + 5 = 365).

Example: 0 Pop, 12 Yaxkin, 3 Wayeb'

Each month position is numbered from 0 to 19 (not 1 to 20). The seating of the month (day 0) represents the initial day when that month's influence begins.

The 18 months are: Pop, Wo, Sip, Sotz', Tzec, Xul, Yaxkin, Mol, Ch'en, Yax, Sac, Ceh, Mac, Kankin, Muan, Pax, Kayab, and Cumku, followed by the 5-day Wayeb' period (numbered 0-4).

The Long Count

The Long Count is a linear count of days from a mythological starting point (the "creation date"). It's written in five positions, similar to our place-value system but using different units.

Format: b'ak'tun.k'atun.tun.winal.k'in

Example: 13.0.0.0.0 (December 21, 2012)

• K'in: 1 day
• Winal: 20 days (20 k'in)
• Tun: 360 days (18 winal)
• K'atun: 7,200 days (20 tun, approximately 20 years)
• B'ak'tun: 144,000 days (20 k'atun, approximately 394 years)

Step 1: Determine Your Starting Point

To set a date in the Mayan calendar, you need to know a reference point. The most common correlation (GMT correlation) places the Long Count starting date at August 11, 3114 BCE in the Gregorian calendar. From this, any Gregorian date can be converted to its Mayan calendar equivalents.

For practical use with our calendar tool, you can:

• Select today's date to see its Mayan equivalent
• Choose any date from the calendar grid
• Navigate between months or weeks using the arrow buttons
• Toggle between month and week views for different perspectives

Step 2: Understanding the Calendar Round

When using the Tzolk'in and Haab' together, you create a "Calendar Round" - a cycle that repeats every 52 years (18,980 days). This is calculated as the least common multiple of 260 (Tzolk'in) and 365 (Haab').

A full Calendar Round date includes both the Tzolk'in and Haab' positions:

Example: 4 Ahau 8 Cumku

This notation tells us it's the day 4 Ahau in the Tzolk'in and the 8th day of the month Cumku in the Haab'. This particular combination won't occur again for 52 years.

Step 3: Recording the Complete Date

For historical or ceremonial purposes, the Maya often recorded a complete date including the Long Count, Tzolk'in, and Haab':

Complete Format: Long Count, Tzolk'in, Haab'

Example: 9.12.2.0.16, 5 Cib, 14 Yaxkin

This provides absolute temporal precision, as each Long Count position corresponds to a unique Calendar Round date.

Navigating the Calendar

Our calendar tool makes it easy to work with Mayan dates:

• Month View: Click the "Month" button to see the full month grid
• Week View: Click the "Week" button to focus on a single week
• Navigate: Use the left and right arrows to move between periods
• Event Indicators: Orange dots show scheduled events or significant dates
• Today: The current date is highlighted in a distinctive color

Understanding Event Indicators

The orange dots below each date show the number of events:

• One dot: One event or observance scheduled
• Two dots: Two events scheduled
• Three dots: Three or more events scheduled

Events can include traditional Mayan ceremonial days, astronomical events like solstices and equinoxes, historical commemorations, or personal events you've added.

Finding Your Mayan Birthday

Your Mayan birthday is the Tzolk'in date on which you were born. This day name and number combination was believed to influence your personality and destiny. To find your Mayan birthday:

1. Know your Gregorian birth date
2. Use a Mayan calendar converter tool or consult a traditional daykeeper
3. Learn about the characteristics associated with your day name
4. Your Tzolk'in birthday repeats every 260 days throughout your life

Planning Ceremonial Dates

If you're interested in honoring traditional Mayan ceremonial dates, use the calendar to:

• Mark solstices and equinoxes
• Track the Wayeb' period (the five unlucky days)
• Observe the new year (0 Pop)
• Celebrate your Tzolk'in birthday every 260 days
• Note significant Long Count dates

View our complete list of important ceremonial days to learn about traditional Mayan observances throughout the year.

Converting Between Calendar Systems

Converting dates between the Gregorian and Mayan calendars requires either:

• Mathematical formulas based on the correlation constant
• Conversion tables or software tools
• Consultation with traditional calendar keepers

The most widely accepted correlation (GMT correlation constant: 584,283) allows precise conversion between systems. Our calendar uses this correlation to ensure accuracy.

Best Practices

• Start by familiarizing yourself with the 20 Tzolk'in day names
• Learn to recognize the current date in multiple calendar systems
• Pay attention to the cycling patterns of numbers and names
• Notice how astronomical events align with calendar dates
• Use the calendar regularly to develop intuitive understanding
• Consider keeping a journal noting significant dates in both systems
• Explore the cultural and spiritual meanings behind the dates

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don't confuse Tzolk'in numbers (1-13) with Haab' positions (0-19)
• Remember that Haab' months start at 0, not 1
• Don't forget the Wayeb' period at the end of the Haab' year
• Be aware that different sources may use different Long Count correlations
• Understand that the Tzolk'in and Haab' cycle independently

Setting Custom Events

While our calendar currently displays pre-set significant dates, future updates will allow you to:

• Add personal events and notes to specific dates
• Set recurring events based on Tzolk'in or Haab' cycles
• Create reminders for important ceremonial days
• Share calendar dates with others
• Export dates to other calendar applications