Tzolk'in

The Tzolk'in, or 260 day almanac, is a 260 day period that the Maya used to measure time. There are thirteen numbered days intermeshed with 20 named days.

The day names varied in the various Mayan dialects. The Yukatek Mayan day names are shown below.

Imix
Ik'
Ak'bal
K'an
Chikchan
Kimi
Manik'
Lamat
Muluk
Ok
Chuwen
Eb
Ben
Ix
Men
Kib
Kaban
Etz'nab
Kawak
Ahaw

Thus 1 Imix is followed by 2 Ik', 3 Ak'bal, ..., 13 Ben, 1 Ix, ..., 7 Ahaw, 8 Imix, etc. This cycle repeats after 260 days, when 1 Imix returns. To see how this works, advance the k'in control or Julian Day Number control by one day and watch the effect on the Tzolk'in.

The Tzolk'in combined with the Haab forms the Calendar Round.