How to Make an Aztec Calendar
The Aztec civilization had not one type of calendar, but two. The first, called the tonalpohualli, is based on 260 days and its main uses were as a divination tool and to set dates for religious festivals. The second, called the xiuhpohualli, is based on 365 days and was used to describe the seasons and agricultural cycles. It was based on 18 months of 20 days each plus 5 extra days at the end of the year. The latter calendar will be the focus of this article as it is more relevant to present times and has some practical use.
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Instructions
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Making an Aztec Calendar
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1
Create a page of five columns and four rows with a landscape orientation. This means there should be 20 squares, one for each day of the month. Leave room for the name of the month at the top.
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2
Number the squares created 1-20. Add a name to each day as follows (in numerical order): crocodile, wind, house, lizard, serpent, death, deer, rabbit, water, dog, monkey, grass, reed, jaguar, eagle, vulture, movement, flint, rain and flower.
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3
Save the work from steps 1 and 2 as a template to be used for each of the 18 months. At the top of the sheet for each month insert the following names (in chronological order): Atlacacauallo, Tlacaxipehualiztli, Tozoztontli, Hueytozoztli, Toxcatl, Etzalcualiztli, Tecuilhuitontli, Hueytecuihutli, Tlaxochimaco, Xocotlhuetzin, Ochpaniztli, Teoleco, Tepeihuitl, Quecholli, Panquetzaliztli, Atemoztli, Tititl and Izcalli.
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4
Create a sheet with five days. This is for the Nemontemi, or "empty days." These days were considered bad luck; no rituals were performed and the people fasted on these days.
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5
Use the calendar as you would a normal calendar. Keep in mind that the Aztec "new year's day" and the start of the calendar is October 7.
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Tips & Warnings
Take the calendar to Kinko's or a similar business and have it produced professionally to look like a current calendar.
