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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Unraveling the Mysteries of the Maya Day-Signs: Nahual and Nawal

The Enigmatic Day-Signs of the Maya: A Guide to Nahual and Nawal

The Maya civilization is renowned for its sophisticated understanding of the cosmos, mathematics, and calendrical systems. Among the most intriguing aspects of Maya knowledge is the day-sign system, which consists of 13 signs, each associated with a specific animal, plant, or celestial body. In this article, we will delve into the mysteries of the Maya day-signs, focusing on the Nahual and Nawal signs, two of the most enigmatic and misunderstood symbols in the system.

Understanding the Maya day-signs requires a grasp of their cosmological context. The Maya believed that the universe was governed by a complex system of interlocking cycles, including the Tzolkin (a 260-day calendar) and the Haab (a 365-day solar calendar). The day-signs played a crucial role in this system, providing a means of tracking time, predicting astronomical events, and understanding the human condition.

The Nahual Signs

Defining the Nahual Signs

The Nahual signs are a group of six signs that represent the animal kingdom. These signs are associated with the following animals:

Monkey (Kin)
Snake (Imix)
Wolf (Manik)
Snake (Ox)
Snake (Yaxkin)
Snake (Yaxchilan)

The Nahual signs are often confused with the Nawal signs, which represent a different set of animals. However, the Nahual signs have a distinct cultural and historical context, reflecting the Maya’s deep connection with the natural world.

Correlations with the Tzolkin Calendar

Nahual Sign	Tzolkin Correlation
Monkey (Kin)	Imix, Oxcaye (Mayan calendar dates: 1.4.1.4 to 1.4.12.4)
Snake (Imix)	Kin, Manik (Mayan calendar dates: 1.4.13.4 to 1.4.24.4)
Wolf (Manik)	Yaxkin, Yaxchilan (Mayan calendar dates: 1.4.25.4 to 1.4.36.4)
Snake (Ox)	Kin, Oxcaye (Mayan calendar dates: 1.4.37.4 to 1.4.48.4)
Snake (Yaxkin)	Manik, Yaxchilan (Mayan calendar dates: 1.4.49.4 to 1.4.60.4)
Snake (Yaxchilan)	Yaxkin, Yaxchilan (Mayan calendar dates: 1.4.61.4 to 1.4.72.4)

Historical Significance of the Nahual Signs

The Nahual signs have played a significant role in Maya culture and history. In the classical Maya period (200-900 CE), the Nahual signs were associated with the royal and priestly classes, who used them to track time and predict astronomical events.

The Nawal Signs

Defining the Nawal Signs

The Nawal signs are a group of five signs that represent the human condition. These signs are associated with the following animals:

Peacock (Imix)
Snake (Manik)
Dog (Ox)
Monkey (Kin)
Snake (Yaxkin)

The Nawal signs have a distinct cultural context, reflecting the Maya’s spiritual and philosophical beliefs. The Nawal signs are often associated with the concept of “self” and the human condition.

Correlations with the Tzolkin Calendar

Nawal Sign	Tzolkin Correlation
Peacock (Imix)	Yaxkin, Yaxchilan (Mayan calendar dates: 1.4.61.4 to 1.4.72.4)
Snake (Manik)	Oxcaye, Kin (Mayan calendar dates: 1.4.1.4 to 1.4.12.4)
Dog (Ox)	Imix, Kin (Mayan calendar dates: 1.4.13.4 to 1.4.24.4)
Monkey (Kin)	Imix, Oxcaye (Mayan calendar dates: 1.4.37.4 to 1.4.48.4)
Snake (Yaxkin)	Manik, Yaxchilan (Mayan calendar dates: 1.4.49.4 to 1.4.60.4)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of the Nahual signs in Maya culture?

A: The Nahual signs are a group of six animal signs that represent the natural world. They have played a significant role in Maya culture and history, reflecting the Maya’s deep connection with nature and the cosmos.

Q: How do the Nahual signs correlate with the Tzolkin calendar?

A: The Nahual signs have a unique correlation with the Tzolkin calendar, reflecting the Maya’s understanding of time and the cycles of nature.

Q: What is the difference between the Nahual and Nawal signs?

A: The Nahual and Nawal signs represent different aspects of the Maya day-sign system. The Nahual signs represent the natural world, while the Nawal signs represent the human condition.

Explore More

For more information on the Maya day-signs, explore the free open archive at Mayan Library (mayanlibrary.org), featuring articles, research papers, and educational resources on various aspects of Maya culture and knowledge.

References & Further Reading

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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