right|280px|thumb|Page 11 reverse from , showing four day-symbols of the : ( = one) Flint/Knife , ( = two) Rain , ( = three) Flower , and ( = four) Caiman/Crocodile (), with Spanish descriptions.

thumb|Above is the [[Codex Telleriano-Remensis: Folio 10r annotated to identify the day signs (Tonalpohualli) and counts on the page. This page includes the later half of a Trecena, starting with 6 grass (6 Malinalli) and ending with 13 rain (13 Quiyahuitl). The Trecena progresses from the second row and the first column and continues to the right. Once it is five columns in the order it progresses downward until the fifth column and fifth row. The Codex Telleriano-Remensis was produced in the sixteenth century with European influence and supplies.]]

thumb|Above is the [[Codex Borbonicus Folio 13 with annotations to highlight the day signs (Tonalpohualli) within the Trecena which is shown on the page. The Trecena begins at the bottom leftmost corner with 1 movement (1 Olin) and continues through the full 13 day cycle until 13 water (13 Atl) at the top box on the inner column. Each day sign is paired with their respective deity, for example 2 flint is presented by Chalchiuhtotolin.]]

The (), meaning "count of days" in Nahuatl, is a Mexica version of the 260-day calendar in use in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. This calendar is solar and consists of 20 13-day () periods. Each is ruled by a different deity. Graphic representations for the twenty day names have existed among certain ethnic, linguistic, or archaeologically identified peoples.

Description

thumb| calendar representation

The term for the Aztec day signs, tōnalpōhualli, comes from the root word Tonal which means to give light or heat. A “tonalli” runs from one noon to the next one. Tōnalpōhualli refers to the count of the days, made up of 20 day signs and a 260 day cycle. In Aztec society there were multiple intertwining calendars, the tōnalpōhualli, and the xiuhpōhualli which refers to the solar year of 365 days. The xiuhpōhualli was divided into eighteen twenty day months, and then an extra five days at the end of the cycle. Each day denoted by a different day sign and number, the double calendars were intertwined so that every 52 years the same combination of day signs and numbers would appear again. It is likely that the root of these units comes from the human body: the Aztecs would count using all digits on their body consisting of the 20 day signs. The 260 cycle likely originated from womans’ gestational cycle, as from the time of the first missed menstruation cycle to the time of giving birth is roughly 260 days. The glyphs were recognizable to their meaning, and members of the population would understand what day it was and their current position in time. The order of the days related to all aspects of life, they dictated when was the right time to plant maize and when to harvest. People felt that they would be vulnerable if the plantings and festivals did not take place on the specified days. The larger rituals would be on the first half of the 13-day cycles, but other important religious activities were done on specific Tonalpohualli days.

! Spirit

! Cardinal point

|-

| 1

| 1 (Caiman or aquatic monster)

| 75px

|

| East

|-

| 2

| 1 (Wind)

| 75px

|

| North

|-

| 3

| 1 (House)

| 75px

|

| West

|-

| 4

| 1 (Lizard)

| 75px

|

| South

|-

| 5

| 1 (Snake)

| 75px

|

| East

|-

| 6

| 1 (Death)

| 75px

|

| North

|-

| 7

| 1 (Deer)

| 75px

|

| West

|-

| 8

| 1 (Rabbit)

| 75px

|

| South

|-

| 9

| 1 (Water)

| 75px

|

| East

|-

| 10

| 1 (Dog)

| 75px

|

| North

|-

| 11

| 1 (Monkey)

| 75px

|

| West

|-

| 12

| 1 (Grass)

| 75px

|

| South

|-

| 13

| 1 (Reed)

| 75px

|

| East

|-

| 14

| 1 (Ocelot or Jaguar)

| 75px

|

| North

|-

| 15

| 1 (Eagle)

| 75px

|

| West

|-

| 16

| 1 (Vulture)

| 75px

|

| South

|-

| 17

| 1 (Movement or Earthquake)

| 75px

|

| East

|-

| 18

| 1 (Flint or Knife)

| 75px

|

| North

|-

| 19

| 1 (Rain)

| 75px

|

| West

|-

| 20

| 1 (Flower)

| 75px

|

| South

|}

Note that the symbols are arranged counterclockwise around the calendar stone.

<gallery>

File:Flower,Wind,Flint,Earthquake.jpg|Flower, Rain, Flint, Earthquake

File:Vulture,Eagle,Jaguar.jpg|Vulture, Eagle, Jaguar

File:Reed,Grass,Monkey,Dog.jpg|Reed, Grass, Monkey, Dog

File:Water,Rabbit,Deer.jpg|Water, Rabbit, Deer

File:Lizard,Snake,Death.jpg|Death, Snake, Lizard

File:House,Wind,Alligator.jpg|House, Wind, Alligator

</gallery>

See also

  • Aztec calendar
  • Aztec calendar stone
  • Aztec mythology
  • Maya calendar

References

  • Discussion of origin of the 260-day cycle
  • Animated tōnalpōhualli