Where We Work

LAKE ATITLÁN REGION

GUATEMALA OVERVIEW

POLITICAL HISTORY

Mayan Culture

Vibrant Mayan culture can easily be found today from a civilization that began back in 2000 BC. During the height of their civilization, the Maya were a very advanced people, with the first recorded fully-developed written language, advanced city infrastructure, and extremely accurate astronomy knowledge. The diaspora of the Mayan language has resulted in dozens of Mayan dialects throughout today’s Mayan population. Guatemala has the largest population of Mayan descendants in Central America and a direct line can be seen between Mayan culture and the country’s bright and colorful environment.

MAYAN HUIPILES

MAYAN PHILOSOPHY

THE HUNAB KU

The Mayan Calendar

The Mayan Calendar is divided into three systems of recording time. The first, the Cholq’ij or the Tzolkin, is 13 periods or months of 20 days each. Each of these 20 days are represented by a Nahual or Day Keeper, that guides the energy of the day. The Cholq’ij or Tzolkin is also based around the cycle of the numbers 1-13 that also influence the energy of the day. A complete cycle or year in the Cholq’ij or Tzolkin is all of the different combinations of of numbers 1-13 with the 20 Day Keepers, or 260 days. The Cholq’ij or Tzolkin is a lunar and ceremonial calendar and its energy is feminine.

Each person is born with a Nahual or Day Keeper depending on their day, month and year of birth. These Nahuales influence the characteristics of each persons personality and energy.

Learn more about the Mayan Calendar