Worldwide Library Initiative — Index

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The Worldwide Library

Master global index uniting regional ancestral archives and indigenous knowledge networks.

Mexican Library

Open archive of pre-Columbian native cultures, languages, and heritage of Mexico.

Maya Library

Maya cosmology, base-20 mathematics, and the Cholq’ij calendar.

American Library

First Nations, Native American, and continental bioregions of the Americas.

African Library

Ancestral traditions, agroecology, and bioregional stewardship across Africa.

Asian Library

Indigenous knowledge systems across the Asian bioregions.

European Library

Ancient European folklore, megaliths, and bioregional traditional knowledge.

Oceania Library

Pacific, Aboriginal, and island indigenous cultures and navigation wisdom.

Antarctic Library

Polar bioregion research, glaciology, and stewardship of the southern continent.

All Libraries ↗

Territory-based ecological repository mapping every native bioregion.

The Maya Library

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3 · Calendars & Guides

Tzolk’in — 260-day Sacred Round Haab’ — 365-day Solar Year Long Count — Cosmic Time How to Calculate Your Nahual The Mayan Numbers Library All Numbers — Meanings Report Meaning of Nawal Day-Signs

4 · Global Languages

English (Global) Español Français Português 日本語

American Bioregion Library

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Official American Sub-Bioregion Hero Portals

Sub-Bioregional Portal I

Arctic & Subarctic Bioregion Library

Circumpolar tundra hydrology, sea-ice dynamics, sea-mammal hunting ethics, and the ancestral ecological knowledge of Inuit, Inupiat, and Yupik communities.

Sub-Bioregional Portal II

Boreal Forest Bioregion Library

Taiga woodland ecology, peatland carbon sinks, birch-bark canoe engineering, and the living heritage of Dene, Cree, and Innu peoples.

Sub-Bioregional Portal III

North Atlantic Coastal Bioregion Library

Estuarine fisheries, coastal salt marshes, hardwood agroforestry, and the governance of Haudenosaunee, Mi’kmaq, and Wampanoag nations.

Sub-Bioregional Portal IV

Pacific Coastal–Temperate Rainforest Library

Ancient cedar forestry, wild salmon stewardship, totem carving iconography, and the maritime culture of Haida, Tlingit, Coast Salish, and Nuu-chah-nulth nations.

Sub-Bioregional Portal V

Rocky–Sierra–Cordillera Mountain Library

High-altitude alpine ecology, headwater watershed conservation, cultural fire management, and the mountain traditions of Shoshone, Ute, and Salish communities.

Sub-Bioregional Portal VI

Mesoamerican Bioregion Library

Milpa companion agriculture, volcanic valley terracing, cenote karst hydrology, hieroglyphic writing, and the heritage of Maya, Nahua, Zapotec, and Mixtec peoples.

Sub-Bioregional Portal VII

Caribbean–Island Bioregion Library

Insular tropical marine biology, coral reef protection, hurricane resilience, cassava conuco farming, and Taíno and Kalinago ancestral heritage.

Sub-Bioregional Portal VIII

Northern Andes Bioregion Library

Páramo high-altitude wetland hydrology, cloud forest biodiversity, gold craftsmanship, and the heritage of Chibcha, Muisca, and Nasa communities.

Sub-Bioregional Portal IX

Amazon Basin Bioregion Library

The world’s largest tropical rainforest, riverine floodplain ecology, terra preta soil science, ethnobotanical medicine, and the stewardship of Yanomami, Kayapó, and Asháninka peoples.

Sub-Bioregional Portal X

Orinoco–Guiana Shield Bioregion Library

Tepui tabletop mountain ecosystems, Gran Sabana ecology, blackwater river systems, and the territory of Piaroa, Pemon, and Warao communities.

Sub-Bioregional Portal XI

Andean Highlands & Dry Valleys Library

High-altitude terrace agriculture (andenes), camelid pastoralism, water canal engineering, textile arts, and the knowledge of Quechua and Aymara societies.

Sub-Bioregional Portal XII

Chaco–Pantanal Bioregion Library

The world’s largest tropical wetland system, dry forest fauna, river pulse dynamics, and the knowledge of Guaraní, Nivaclé, and Ayoreo peoples.

Sub-Bioregional Portal XIII

Cerrado–Caatinga Bioregion Library

Central Brazilian savanna biodiversity, semi-arid thorny scrub biomes, water table recharge, and the territory of Xavante, Kraho, and Fulni-ô communities.

Sub-Bioregional Portal XIV

Atlantic Forest Bioregion Library

The biodiverse Mata Atlântica, coastal mountain streams, endemic flora restoration, and the heritage of Tupinambá and Guaraní Mbyá communities.

Sub-Bioregional Portal XV

Pampas–La Plata Bioregion Library

Temperate grassland soil science, Rio de la Plata estuarine hydrology, equestrian traditions, and the memory of Charrua, Het, and Rankülche communities.

Sub-Bioregional Portal XVI

Patagonian–Subantarctic Library

Wind-swept steppe dynamics, Fuegian archipelago canoeing, Valdivian temperate rainforests, and the stewardship of Mapuche, Selk’nam, Yaghan, and Kawésqar peoples.

African Bioregion Library

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Official African Sub-Bioregion Hero Portals

Sub-Bioregional Portal I

Sahara & Oasis Desert Bioregion Library

Hyper-arid desert ecosystems, ancient oasis hydrology, subterranean foggaras, caravan routes, and the ecological wisdom of Tuareg and Berber communities.

Sub-Bioregional Portal II

Sahel Semi-Arid Transition Library

Semi-arid savanna belts, transhumance pastoral mobility, Great Green Wall anti-desertification, and customary land tenure of the Fulani and neighbors.

Sub-Bioregional Portal III

North African Mediterranean–Atlas Library

Mediterranean montane biomes, Atlas terraced agriculture, cork oak forests, coastal marine biology, and the heritage of Amazigh (Berber) societies.

Sub-Bioregional Portal IV

West African Savannah–Forest Mosaic Library

Sacred groves, agroforestry mosaics, Niger and Volta river basins, bronze and textile arts, and the worldviews of Yoruba, Dogon, and Akan peoples.

Sub-Bioregional Portal V

Central African Congo Rainforest Library

Earth’s second largest tropical rainforest, Congo Basin hydrology, canopy biodiversity, carbon science, and the forest knowledge of BaAka and Mbuti communities.

Sub-Bioregional Portal VI

East African Rift Valley–Highlands Library

The volcanic Great Rift Valley, montane forests, wildlife corridors, pastoralist cattle traditions, and the continuity of Maasai, Kikuyu, and Oromo societies.

Sub-Bioregional Portal VII

Horn of Africa Drylands & Highlands Library

The Ethiopian Massif, Simien biodiversity, endemic flora, frankincense dryland forestry, terraced agriculture, and the cultural archives of the Horn.

Sub-Bioregional Portal VIII

Southern African Savanna–Karoo–Cape Library

The Cape Floristic Region hotspot, fynbos botany, Namib and Kalahari adaptations, and the rock art and ethnobotany of San and Khoikhoi communities.

Sub-Bioregional Portal IX

African Great Lakes Basin Library

Lake Victoria, Tanganyika, and Malawi ecosystems, lacustrine fisheries, cichlid evolutionary science, and the traditions of Great Lakes societies.

Asian Bioregion Library

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Official Asian Sub-Bioregion Hero Portals

Sub-Bioregional Portal I

Siberian Boreal & Arctic Tundra Library

Permafrost dynamics, northern taiga ecology, reindeer pastoralism, and the knowledge of Evenki, Nenets, Sakha, and Chukchi communities across subarctic Eurasia.

Sub-Bioregional Portal II

Central Asian Steppe & Desert Library

Vast grassland steppes, Gobi desert adaptations, nomadic horse culture, Silk Road oases, and pasture governance of Kazakh, Kyrgyz, and Mongolian herdsmen.

Sub-Bioregional Portal III

East Asian Temperate–Monsoon Library

Temperate broadleaf forests, monsoon river basins, Satoyama stewardship, rice-paddy agroecology, and the heritage of Ainu, Han, and Korean communities.

Sub-Bioregional Portal IV

Himalayan–Tibetan Highlands Library

The Tibetan Plateau (“Third Pole”), glacier hydrology, yak pastoralism, sacred mountain geography, and the science of Tibetan, Sherpa, and Ladakhi societies.

Sub-Bioregional Portal V

South Asian Monsoon Plains & Rivers Library

The Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra floodplains, monsoon agriculture, Sundarbans mangrove ecology, and the water-harvesting systems of South Asia.

Sub-Bioregional Portal VI

Southeast Asian Tropical Archipelago Library

Wallacea and Sundaland hotspots, equatorial canopy science, maritime voyaging, and the forest stewardship of Orang Asli, Dayak, Hmong, and Ifugao communities.

Sub-Bioregional Portal VII

Southwest Asian Arid–Oasis–River Library

The Tigris-Euphrates Fertile Crescent, ancient qanat canal engineering, date-palm oasis polyculture, and Near Eastern riverine agricultural heritage.

Sub-Bioregional Portal VIII

Arabian Peninsula Desert–Oasis Library

Rub’ al Khali hyper-arid ecology, Red Sea and Persian Gulf coral reefs, Bedouin nomadic navigation, and traditional frankincense dryland forestry.

European Bioregion Library

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Official European Sub-Bioregion Hero Portals

Sub-Bioregional Portal I

Arctic–Nordic Europe Bioregion Library

Fennoscandian tundra ecosystems, boreal taiga dynamics, Arctic maritime navigation, and the reindeer herding knowledge of the Sámi across Sápmi.

Sub-Bioregional Portal II

Atlantic–Celtic Coast Bioregion Library

Coastal temperate rainforests, estuarine tidal hydrology, island agroforestry, fishing commons, and the oral traditions of Celtic and Atlantic communities.

Sub-Bioregional Portal III

Western European Interior Bioregion Library

Broadleaf deciduous woodland conservation, Rhine, Seine, and Loire river management, hedgerow ecology, and historical landscape architecture.

Sub-Bioregional Portal IV

Mediterranean Europe Bioregion Library

Evergreen sclerophyllous scrublands (maquis and garrigue), terraced olive and vine polyculture, and the wisdom of Basque, Iberian, Italic, and Hellenic cultures.

Sub-Bioregional Portal V

Alpine–Carpathian Mountain Spine Library

High-altitude alpine grasslands, glacial headwater hydrology, transhumance pastoralism, and the knowledge of Alpine and Carpathian mountain societies.

Sub-Bioregional Portal VI

Central European Green Heart Library

Mixed beech and oak forest ecosystems, Danube basin hydrology, traditional silviculture, and community-based watershed management.

Sub-Bioregional Portal VII

Northern Lowland–Baltic Bioregion Library

Coastal dune systems, post-glacial lacustrine wetlands, amber-bearing littoral zones, and the ancestral heritage of Baltic and Finno-Ugric peoples.

Sub-Bioregional Portal VIII

Eastern Forest–Steppe Bioregion Library

Chernozem black-soil science, forest-steppe biomes, Dnieper and Volga corridor protection, and Slavic oral epic and agricultural calendars.

Sub-Bioregional Portal IX

Balkan Mountain–Valley Bioregion Library

Dinaric Alps karst landscapes, subterranean hydrology, endemic Balkan flora, transhumance routes, and Southeastern European ethnobotanical traditions.

Sub-Bioregional Portal X

Black Sea–Caucasus Gateway Library

Caucasus biodiversity hotspots, Colchic temperate rainforests, ancient agrobiodiversity, and the linguistic and ecological heritage of Caucasian peoples.

Oceania Bioregion Library

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Official Oceania Sub-Bioregion Hero Portals

Sub-Bioregional Portal I

Pacific & Indian Oceanic Basins Library

Vast pelagic marine biomes, equatorial ocean currents, deep-sea trench bathymetry, voyaging corridors, and non-instrument celestial navigation of Pacific mariners.

Sub-Bioregional Portal II

Volcanic Archipelagos & Seamounts Library

Hotspot island geomorphology, endemic cloud forest biology, basaltic soil fertility, and the veneration of volcanic peaks across Polynesian and Melanesian arcs.

Sub-Bioregional Portal III

Coral Reef Systems & Lagoons Library

Coral Triangle biodiversity, barrier reef dynamics, lagoon estuarine nurseries, customary Rahui and Tabu fishing closures, and indigenous marine conservation.

Sub-Bioregional Portal IV

Atolls, Low & High Volcanic Islands Library

Freshwater lens hydrology, pit-taro agroforestry, sea-level adaptation, double-hulled canoe construction, and Micronesian and Polynesian oral genealogies.

Sub-Bioregional Portal V

Australian Interior & Forests Library

Australian continental ecology, fire-stick land management, sandstone rock art, desert springs, and the 65,000-year Songline and Caring for Country traditions.

Antarctic Bioregion Library

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Official Antarctic Sub-Bioregion Hero Portals

Sub-Bioregional Portal I

East Antarctic Ice Sheet Library

The planet’s largest continental ice mass, ultra-deep ice cores, subglacial lakes (Lake Vostok), high-plateau atmospherics, and million-year paleoclimate records.

Sub-Bioregional Portal II

West Antarctic Ice Sheet Library

Marine-based ice sheet vulnerability, fast-flowing glacier streams (Thwaites, Pine Island), grounding line dynamics, and global sea-level rise modeling.

Sub-Bioregional Portal III

Antarctic Peninsula Library

Rapid regional warming, ice-shelf disintegration, Antarctic moss bank botany, glacier retreat, and coastal penguin and seal breeding colony observations.

Sub-Bioregional Portal IV

Circumpolar Southern Ocean Library

Southern Ocean upwelling systems, Antarctic krill biomass biology, marine protected areas, ocean acidification studies, and baleen whale migration routes.

Sub-Bioregional Portal V

Subantarctic Islands Library

Isolated oceanic islands (South Georgia, Kerguelen, Marion, Macquarie), subantarctic tundra vegetation, albatross sanctuaries, and invasive species eradication.

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Maya Day-Signs: Ancient Symbolism and Cosmological Significance

Unveiling the Mysteries of Maya Day-Signs: Understanding the Ancient Symbolism and Cosmological Significance

The Maya civilization has long fascinated scholars and enthusiasts alike with its rich cultural heritage and complex system of symbolism. One of the most intriguing aspects of Maya culture is the day-sign system, which consists of 20 distinct symbols that represent various aspects of the cosmos, human experience, and the natural world. In this article, we will delve into the world of Maya day-signs, exploring their origins, meanings, and significance in Maya cosmology.

Maya day-signs are believed to have originated in the Classic Period (c. 200-900 CE), although their exact date and purpose are still debated among scholars. These symbols were used in a variety of contexts, including calendars, rituals, and everyday life. Each day-sign corresponds to a specific aspect of the universe, such as the sun, moon, planets, or natural elements like water or fire. The day-signs were also linked to the 20-day cycle of the Tzolk’in calendar, which is still used today in some parts of Mexico and Guatemala.

Correlations with the Tzolk’in Calendar

Day-Sign	Tzolk’in Calendar Number	Corresponding Planet	Natural Element
Imix	1	Water	Fertility
Aqabal	2	Rain	Abundance
Kan	3	Wind	Change
Chicchan	4	Thunder	Energy
Ciman	5	Lightning	Purification
Cabán	6	Sun	Life
Etznab	7	Tree	Growth
Caunac	8	Stone	Structure
Ahau	9	Sky	Spirituality
Chuen	10	Earth	Nature
Imix	11	Water	Fertility
Manik	12	Wind	Change
Lamat	13	Light	Purification
Muluc	14	Earth	Nature
OC	15	Sun	Life
Chen	16	Tree	Growth
Yaxkin	17	Wind	Change
Molin	18	Rain	Abundance
Yaxk’in	19	Thunder	Energy
Alautun	20	Lightning	Purification

Meaning and Significance

Maya day-signs are not just random symbols; they hold deep meaning and significance in Maya culture. Each day-sign corresponds to a specific aspect of the universe, and by understanding these associations, we can gain insight into the Maya worldview. For example, the day-sign Imix is associated with water and fertility, while Aqabal is linked to rain and abundance. These associations reveal the Maya understanding of the natural world and their connection to the cycles of nature.

Correlations with the Long Count Calendar

Day-Sign	Long Count Calendar Number	Corresponding Epoch
Imix	0.0.0.0.1	Creation
Aqabal	0.0.0.0.2	Human Beginnings
Kan	0.0.0.0.3	Human Progression
Cabán	0.0.0.0.4	Human Civilization
Chicchan	0.0.0.0.5	Human Expansion
Caunac	0.0.0.0.6	Human Conquest
Etznab	0.0.0.0.7	Human Innovation
Chuen	0.0.0.0.8	Human Wisdom
Ahau	0.0.0.0.9	Human Enlightenment
Alautun	0.0.0.1.0	Destruction

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of the day-sign Imix?

Imix is associated with water and fertility, making it a symbol of creation and renewal. In the Maya calendar, Imix is also linked to the Tzolk’in calendar, which is still used today in some parts of Mexico and Guatemala.

Q: How do Maya day-signs relate to the Long Count Calendar?

Maya day-signs are correlated with specific epochs in the Long Count Calendar, revealing the Maya understanding of time and the cycles of nature. Each day-sign corresponds to a specific era in human history, from creation to destruction.

Q: Can I use Maya day-signs in modern times?

While Maya day-signs were used in ancient times, their meaning and significance can still be applied in modern contexts. By understanding the associations between day-signs and the natural world, we can gain insight into the Maya worldview and its relevance to contemporary life.

Explore More

Want to delve deeper into the world of Maya day-signs? Explore the free, open archive at Mayan Library (mayanlibrary.org) for more information on Maya calendars, cosmology, and culture.

References & Further Reading

Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) – Official Mexican government institution dedicated to the preservation and study of Mesoamerican cultures.

UNESCO World Heritage – Official website of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which recognizes and protects cultural heritage sites around the world.

Mesoweb – Online resource dedicated to the study and discussion of Mesoamerican cultures, including Maya civilization.

FAMSI – Online forum for the study and discussion of Mesoamerican cultures, including Maya civilization.

Smithsonian NMAI Living Maya Time – Online resource dedicated to the study and preservation of Maya culture and history.

Smithsonian NMAI – Official website of the National Museum of the American Indian, which includes a section on Maya culture and history.

Peabody Museum Harvard – Official website of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, which includes a section on Maya culture and history.

Mayan Library

Explore the Complete Library

Every Symbol, Number, and Calendar — the full free, open archive. Jump to any page below.

Maya Signs Maya Numbers Maya Calendar Nawal Day-Signs Free Reading Report Blog

The 20 Day-Signs

01 · Imix — Crocodile 02 · Ikʼ — Wind 03 · Akʼbʼal — Night 04 · Kʼan — Maize 05 · Chikchan — Serpent 06 · Kimi — Death 07 · Manikʼ — Deer 08 · Lamat — Star 09 · Muluk — Water 10 · Ok — Dog 11 · Chuwen — Monkey 12 · Ebʼ — Road 13 · Bʼen — Reed 14 · Ix — Jaguar 15 · Men — Eagle 16 · Kibʼ — Waxing 17 · Kabʼan — Earth 18 · Etzʼnabʼ — Flint 19 · Kawak — Storm 20 · Ajaw — Sun

The Numbers (0–20)

0 · Mi 1 · Hun 2 · Ka’a 3 · Oox 4 · Kan 5 · Ho’ 6 · Wak 7 · Wuk 8 · Waxak 9 · Bolon 10 · Lajun 11 · Buluk 12 · Lajka’a 13 · Oxlajun 14 · Kanlajun 15 · Ho’lajun 16 · Waklajun 17 · Wuklajun 18 · Waxaklajun 19 · Bolonlajun 20 · Jun Kal

Calendar & Guides

Tzolk’in — 260-day Sacred Round Haab’ — 365-day Solar Year Long Count — Cosmic Time How to Calculate Your Nahual The Mayan Numbers Library All Numbers — Meanings Report Meaning of the Nawal Day-Signs Get Your Free Reading

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