The Tzolk'in: 260 ritual days
Mexico's National Museum of Anthropology (INAH) describes the Tzolk'in as a 260-day ritual cycle. It combines 13 numbers with 20 day signs: 13 × 20 = 260. Each day has both a number and a name.
The Haab': 365 civil days
The Haab' is the 365-day civil calendar. It approximates the solar year but isn't identical to the 365.2422-day tropical year, so over time it drifts against the seasons.
The Calendar Round: 52 years
Combining both cycles, the same date (Tzolk'in number and sign plus Haab' day) only repeats every 18,980 days, which equals 52 Haab'. That combination is called the Calendar Round.
The Long Count
To record longer spans, the Maya used the Long Count, built from cumulative units. It's tied to their positional numbering and their use of zero. The Dresden Codex, one of the few surviving Maya books, contains calendrical, astronomical and numerical tables.
Exact correlations between Maya dates and our calendar depend on academic models, so they should be cited with caution.
The calendar in stone
Architecture speaks of calendars too: at Chichén Itzá's El Castillo, the 91 steps on each of its four stairways, plus the top platform, add up to 365.
From Mérida
Seeing El Castillo's "stone calendar" with a guide is the best way to make these ideas click. Mary Tours runs trips to Chichén Itzá by van or Maya Train from its office on Calle 61 in Mérida's historic center; see prices in the booking section.
| Cycle | Length | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Tzolk'in | 260 days (13 × 20) | Ritual |
| Haab' | 365 days | Civil |
| Calendar Round | 18,980 days (52 Haab') | Combination of both |
| Long Count | Cumulative periods | Long historical dates |
Fun facts
- The Tzolk'in pairs 13 numbers with 20 day names.
- A Calendar Round date repeats every 52 years.
- The Dresden Codex includes astronomical tables.
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Frequently asked questions
How many days are in the Maya calendar?
The Tzolk'in has 260 days and the Haab' 365; they were used together.
What is the Calendar Round?
The combination of the Tzolk'in and Haab', which repeats every 52 years of 365 days.
What is the Long Count?
A system for counting long periods with cumulative units.
Where do Maya calendars survive?
In inscriptions and in codices such as the Dresden Codex.
