MAY 



THOM 



l^\^'\ THE MAYA CALENDAR. 11 



The hybrid origin and mystical character of early calendaric systems 

 is constantly to be borne in mind in the study of the symbols in which 

 the aboriginal calendars of the Western Hemisphere are recorded. 



The early Spanish chronicles and the books of Chilan Balam, written 

 in the Maya language but in Spanish characters, indicate that the native 

 calendar system of Yucatan was highly elaborate. 



The days were grouped in two ways: First, they were named in four 

 series of five each up to -JO, this grouping probably representing an out- 

 growth of the vigesimal system of numeration, though the group was 

 called u (moon or month) ; and 18 of these months, with five intercalary 

 days, formed the year, which was apparently determined (as indicated 

 by the intercalation) by more or less refined astronomic observation. 

 Thus there were 73 five-day periods (which might be called "weeks" 

 were not that term preoccupied in a less desirable way) in a year, on four 

 and only four of which the year might begin; and accordingly (1) these 

 four days — Kan, Muluc, Ix, Cauac — were especially designated as domini- 

 cal days or "year-bearers," and also came to hold special j)lace in relig- 

 ious and domestic observance ; and (2) the years were grouped in series 

 of four, each distinguished by the day on which it began, "Year Kan," 

 "Year Muluc," etc. Thus this grouping of the days would seem, 

 except for the name "month," to represent a nearly pure solar cal- 

 endar modified by arbitrary time distinctions springing originally 

 from the vigesimal system of counting, both calendar and counting 

 being strengthened and more firmly fixed by the interaction. In 

 the second place the days were numbered in groups of 13, and 

 such a group is commonly called by students of the Maya calen- 

 dar a "week", and 28 of these "weeks," with one day added, formed 

 the year. This arrangement gave rise (1) to a series of 13 years, form- 

 ing a period called by the Mayas a "katun of days" and by the 

 Spaniards an "indiction;" and (2) to a longer series of 52 years elaps- 

 ing before a " year-bearer" of given name and number would again form 

 the new year. The origin of the essential part of this arrangement is 

 obscure; possibly the primary period of 13 days represents a semi- 

 lunation (perhaps introduced from the sacred year); but it is also pos- 

 sible that it represents a curious concept found among various primitive 

 and some higher peoples, in which seven is a mystical or jjerfect num- 

 ber that on doubling (or recounting) becomes 13, the central unit in 

 the group of objects or directions being reckoned in the first counting 

 but not in the second. But whatsoever the origin of this number, the 

 other elements in the grouping grow out of the arbitrary adjustment 

 of the initial element to the solar year. It is significant that a 52-year 

 cycle was recognized among other aboriginal peoples of the Western 

 Hemisphere. 



In addition to the arrangement growing out of the grouping of days, 

 the years were grouped arbitrarily either through the vigesimal system 



