The Cholq’ij — Calendar of Life

The Maya culture has developed a tremendous capacity for understanding the cycles and rhythms of the natural world. This knowledge includes numerous calendars measuring various cycles of greater and shorter duration. The calendar most directly relevant to human life and development is known as the Calendar of Life, or Cholq’ij (in the K’iche’ language) or Tzolkin (in Yucatec language). This ancient technology has the capacity to transform our personal and collective lives towards greater harmony and evolutionary realization.

The Sacred Calendar of 260 Days

The Cholq’ij, or the sacred calendar, consists of 260 days. It is formed by 20 day signs that are combined with numbers from 1 to 13 placed before the 20 glyphs of the days. Once finished with the number 13, it begins once again with the number 1, until reaching 13 again, this way consecutively. The sacred calendar is composed of 13 months that hold 20 days. (13 × 20 = 260)

Why are the numbers 13 and 20 used? The ancestors used and considered these numbers as sacred. The number 13 is sacred because the most important joints in the body are: the two at the ankles, two at the knees, two at the hips, two at the wrists, two at the elbows, two at the shoulders, and one at the head or neck. The number 20 symbolizes the 20 fingers of the human being — 10 on the hands and 10 on the feet.

In these 20 sacred words are expressed all of the basic forces of creation and destruction, the good and the bad that are in the world, in society, in the family, and what is in the heart of the human. The unity of such forces in the individual lives depends on the course of life and destiny.

The signs of the 20 days of the Cholq’ij are: B’atz’, E, Aj, I’x, Tz’ikin, Ajmaq, No’j, Tijax, Kawoq, Ajpu, Imox, Iq’, Aq’ab’al, K’at, Kan, Kame, Kej, Q’anil, Toj, Tz’i’.

If we add, to the 260 day sacred calendar, 13 more days, there is a total of 273 days, which is the same time for human gestation, from conception to birth — the sacred time for development of the human being in the mother’s womb.

Finding Your Day Sign

Traditionally, when a child was born, an Ajq’ij would look at that child’s birth chart using the Cholq’ij to determine that child’s purpose. Although this process is intricate and requires years of training, it is often helpful to know the energy at the time of birth — the equivalent of what is known as your “heart sign.” You may use our Calendar Converter to enter a Gregorian date and find the corresponding Cholq’ij date, Long Count, and the full Maya Cross of energies.

Explore the Cholq’ij

• Ch’umil’al — The 20 Day Signs — Meanings, glyphs, and readings of the twenty Nawales.
• The Thirteen Numbers — Each number carries its own force, from the seed of Jun to the fulfillment of Oxlajuj.
• Calendar Converter — Enter any date and receive the Maya Cross, Long Count, and day sign.
• Candles — Maya Color — The directional candles and their ceremonial significance.
• Daily Ch’umil — Follow the daily energies of the calendar.

The foundational knowledge shared here about the Cholq’ij was produced by an Indigenous group of Mayan Ajq’ij (priests) in Chichicastenango, Guatemala: Fundación Centro Cultural y Asistencia Maya (C.C.A.M.). We give thanks for their efforts in keeping the traditions alive.