A Beginner’s Guide to Mayan Astrology, the Tzolk’in and the Day Signs

Chances are you can name your zodiac sun sign without thinking twice, and you’ve probably heard of the Chinese zodiac. But do you know anything about Mayan astrology?

Until recently, we didn’t, either. Mayan astrology is built on the Tzolk’in (also spelled Tzolkin), the Mayan sacred calendar, which has a “year” of 260 days. Every day in that cycle pairs one of 20 Mayan Day Signs, each with its own symbol and personality traits, with a Galactic Number from 1 to 13.

To find your Mayan Day Sign, plug your birthday into the Mayan sign calculator at My Mayan Sign. It reveals your Tzolk’in date, including your Day Sign and Galactic Number. Then keep scrolling to see what your Day Sign says about you.

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What Is Mayan Astrology and the Tzolk’in?

Mayan astrology is a birth-date system based on the Tzolk’in, a 260-day sacred calendar. Where western astrology assigns a sun sign by the month you were born, Mayan astrology looks at the specific day. Your Tzolk’in date has two parts:

• Day Sign: one of 20 signs, each tied to a symbol (like the Jaguar, Owl or Water) and a set of traits.
• Galactic Number: a number from 1 to 13 that pairs with your Day Sign.

Thirteen numbers times 20 Day Signs gives you the 260 days of the Tzolk’in.

How to Find Your Mayan Day Sign

1. Open the Mayan sign calculator at My Mayan Sign.
2. Enter your birthday to get your Tzolk’in date.
3. Note your Day Sign and your Galactic Number.
4. Find your Day Sign below to read about its strengths and challenges.

The 20 Mayan Day Signs at a Glance

Here’s a quick reference for all 20 Mayan astrology Day Signs, in order. Each sign also goes by a Yucatec Maya name, though spellings and alternate English names vary from source to source. Tap a sign to jump to its full description.

Mayan Day Signs and Their Meanings

Crocodile (Imix)

The Crocodile is the first Day Sign of Mayan astrology, kicking things off with an energy similar to Aries in western astrology. Crocodiles are energetic, full of life and ready to leap into new endeavors at a moment’s notice. They tend to be intelligent, creative and fun-loving, as well as deeply caring and protective, though some people find their energy overwhelming and overbearing. They’ll often put themselves first in the name of their goals, though they’re also highly cooperative when it benefits them.

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Wind (Ik’)

The Wind Mayan Day Sign signifies strength and vitality. Wind people are introspective, thoughtful and romantic, considering things carefully before they act. That said, they can get caught up in their analysis, which makes them indecisive and can lead to inaction and self-doubt despite their wisdom. They’re good with words and understand people on an emotional level, making them excellent communicators with a big-picture view of the world. They’re optimists who go with the flow and keep themselves busy, rarely pursuing just one interest or even one career at a time.

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Night (Ak’bal)

The third Mayan astrology Day Sign, Night, is about providing groundwork and stability. It’s a meeting place of old ideas and traditions and of innovation and new discoveries, offering the support for both to live together happily. People born under Night are known for their social natures. They feel strongest by the sides of friends and loved ones and are often happiest in the spotlight. That works out well, because their drive for success puts them front and center. They thrive on creating stability for themselves and others.

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Seed, or Lizard (K’an)

Next comes the Seed Mayan Day Sign, also called the Lizard and known for being the life of the party. Seeds are confident and command attention easily, knowing just how to make people listen, whether it’s to make them laugh, cry or gasp aloud, which makes them highly influential. Despite their people skills, they’re also very independent, avoiding unnecessary commitments and burdens and easily feeling boxed in. Seeds are driven by passion and willing to do pretty much anything to make their goals a reality, but they can also be stubborn and inflexible, struggling with compromise.

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Serpent (Chikchan)

Next up is the caring and dedicated Serpent. This Mayan Day Sign has a reputation for powerful empathy and a desire to take care of others, but you do not want to get on a Serpent’s bad side, because they’ll always fight for what they believe is right and just. Serpents are charismatic, emotional creatures, and that comes through whether they’re showing love or revealing their hot-headed side. Their feelings fuel them to accomplish great things and attract others to them, but can also overwhelm them and strain their professional and personal lives.

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Also read about: These 6 Signs of the Zodiac Are Known for Being the Most Patient

Death, or the Transformer (Kimi)

Death, also known as the Transformer, may sound scary, but it’s actually an inspiring, sensitive and essential Mayan Day Sign. Death signs are open-minded and selfless, generously giving and rarely expecting anything in return. They have an infectiously soothing presence and know how to bring people together to help them see eye to eye. They also stay even-headed under the greatest pressure, but they can give so much of themselves that they burn out and lose sight of what matters. It’s important that they take time to prioritize themselves occasionally and keep an eye on the bigger picture.

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Deer (Manik’)

The Deer Mayan Day Sign has a reputation for being a bit of a nomad. Deer march to the beat of their own drum, with a creative, caring and unapologetically unusual streak. They tend to do best on their own, wandering the land and seeing what the world has to offer on a quest for some kind of spiritual or personal truth. They go with their guts, acting first and asking questions later. They’re also consistent in their beliefs and values, and they don’t understand how others can waver and steer from the course so easily. Deer signs seek reliable friendships and people who’ll stick by them through thick and thin.

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Rabbit (Lamat)

People born under the Rabbit Mayan Day Sign tend not to take life too seriously. Though they’re full of wit and wisdom, they prefer to keep things light and playful. They’re energetic joy-seekers who love spending time with friends and having all eyes on them. Rabbits can place a little too much value on how others see them, deciding their self-worth based on praise and admiration. They can also be overly competitive, using any means to win, even to the detriment of their relationships and reputation. If life’s a game, there’s some balance to be found in the way they play it.

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Water (Muluk)

Much like the water element in western astrology, the Water Mayan Day Sign represents emotional depth and imagination. Water’s understanding of human emotion makes them great with people and, in turn, excellent leaders. They’re generous and selfless, offering up everything they have to benefit others. However, they can also be somewhat manipulative, sometimes without even realizing it, subtly using their influence to get their way. Still, their first goal is to make things better for themselves and the people they care about, and their caring natures will take them far in life.

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Dog (Ok)

The Dog Mayan Day Sign has precisely the connotations you think. Like a trusty golden retriever, Dogs are known for their loyalty and dedication, no matter the circumstances. They’re hard-working, supportive and consistent, and they’ll always be there when you need them most. They’re also naturally inclined to teamwork, thriving in group settings and fearlessly facing obstacles. At the same time, they can be slightly shallow and immature in their relationships, making impulsive decisions that get in their way.

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Also read about: What You’ll Deal With During Mercury Retrograde, Depending on Your Zodiac Sign

Monkey (Chuwen)

We most associate the Monkey Mayan Day Sign with the western zodiac sign Leo. Monkeys demand to be the center of attention, and they’ll do pretty much whatever it takes to get noticed. They’re natural-born performers, whether they’re actors, musicians or internet personalities, and their first priority is keeping other people entertained. They’re not just charming and clever, but also attractive and inventive, and they can rarely focus on one thing for too long unless it serves their bigger goals.

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Road, or Grass (Eb)

Like the roads beneath our feet, the Road (or Grass) Mayan Day Sign represents support, care and adaptability. First and foremost, Road signs dedicate themselves to providing a foundation for others. They’re team players who can adjust to any conditions you throw at them. However, because they see themselves in secondary roles, they often bottle up their true thoughts and feelings and can struggle to speak up, even when it’s important. They’re quiet and often anxious, and it’s critical that they get the support they need, too. Road signs are also hard-working, even if it takes them time to understand their passions and decide to pursue something worthwhile.

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Cane (Ben)

The Cane Mayan Day Sign is one of stubborn determination. Once their opinion is fixed, absolutely no one will sway them, and they’ll doggedly pursue their mission until they make it a reality. They’re knowledgeable and love to learn, but they have to remember that this doesn’t mean they know it all, and they should learn to accept that there are times they’ll be wrong and have to defer to others. They can find a solution to pretty much any problem in their way and hold strong to their values in the face of adversity.

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Jaguar (Ix)

In addition to being one of the coolest Day Signs of Mayan astrology, the Jaguar is also one of the most respected. Jaguars are sociable and understand the inner workings of others, using what they know to promote peace and togetherness. They feel as if they have a higher calling in life and are always seeking it out. They also know when to keep their mouths shut and be discreet. Others find them trustworthy, and they sometimes use this to their advantage. Jaguars bring light and joy into others’ lives, which can attract people who want to hog it all to themselves.

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Eagle (Men)

The Eagle is another of the more coveted Mayan Day Signs, representing independence as well as exploration. On their vast wings, Eagles are free to go wherever they please, discovering the world how and when they like. They’re travelers who want to soak in what different places have to offer, from the culture to the people to the food. They’re detail-oriented and like to get things just right, with the patience to back it up. Despite their wanderlust, they can also be shy and reserved, seeming emotionally distant and mostly keeping to themselves.

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Also read about: The 5 Most Emotional Signs of the Zodiac

Owl (K’ib’)

The Owl Mayan Day Sign is cherished for its wisdom and insight. Owls tend to be old souls, and though the sign represents fresh starts and new beginnings, it’s also symbolized by the knowledge gained through experience. Owls want to see and do it all because of what they can gain through a life well lived. They’re wise beyond their years, with a powerful understanding of the world at large and its inner workings. They can sometimes seem pessimistic, but they’re actually realistic, simply calling things as they see them.

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Earth (Kaban)

The Earth Mayan Day Sign is a grand one, known for leadership and levelheadedness. Earth signs are thinkers who see the world in unique ways, relying on reason instead of letting their emotions lead and using it to smooth out disagreements and promote healthy ideas. They’re drawn to intelligence and the opportunity to learn, and they never stop taking in new ideas. They’re practical and logic-driven, to the point that they can seem cold and unfair to people who are led by their feelings.

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Knife, or Mirror (Etz’nab’)

The Knife Mayan Day Sign, sometimes called the Mirror, is all about reflection. Knives look inward, prioritizing logic over feeling in every decision they make. Sometimes they can be a little too logical, ignoring their own feelings in the name of doing what seems more reasonable. Their intelligence is unmatched, but it can also make them inflexible, and they can struggle with change and the unexpected. However, when Knives dedicate themselves to something they’re truly passionate about, they can make absolutely anything happen.

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Storm (Kawak)

The Storm Mayan Day Sign is known as the healer and nurturer of Mayan astrology. Storms pride themselves on their ability to take care of others, both physically and emotionally, and they tend to surround themselves with close friends and loved ones. They’re also great teachers, sharing what they know while staying open to learning more and bettering themselves. They tend to get bored and listless if they’re not doing something productive, and their need to take care of absolutely everything, all the time, can quickly lead to burnout.

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Light, or Flower (Ajaw)

Light, or Flower, is the 20th and final Day Sign of Mayan astrology, symbolizing selflessness and love. In addition to being kind and sweet, Light signs are said to be highly spiritual, receiving guidance from previous generations and connecting others with a higher plane. Their minds are versatile, making them both mathematically and artistically inclined, and they love to share their ideas with the world. However, they can also be dreamy idealists who become disappointed by their own lofty expectations.

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Mayan Astrology FAQ

What is Mayan astrology?

Mayan astrology is a birth-date-based system built on the Tzolk’in, the 260-day Mayan sacred calendar. It assigns each person one of 20 Day Signs and a Galactic Number from 1 to 13, each with its own symbol and traits.

How many Mayan Day Signs are there?

There are 20 Mayan Day Signs: Crocodile, Wind, Night, Seed, Serpent, Death, Deer, Rabbit, Water, Dog, Monkey, Road, Cane, Jaguar, Eagle, Owl, Earth, Knife, Storm and Light.

How do I find my Mayan Day Sign?

Enter your birthday into a Mayan sign calculator, like the one at My Mayan Sign. It gives you your Tzolk’in date, including your Day Sign and Galactic Number.

What is a Galactic Number in Mayan astrology?

A Galactic Number is the number from 1 to 13 that pairs with your Day Sign to make up your full Tzolk’in date. Combined with the 20 Day Signs, the 13 numbers produce the 260 days of the calendar.

Does the Death Day Sign mean something bad?

No. Death, also called the Transformer, is considered an inspiring, sensitive and essential Day Sign. People born under it are described as selfless, open-minded and soothing, and the sign is about transformation rather than literal death.

How is Mayan astrology different from western astrology and the Chinese zodiac?

Western astrology assigns a sun sign based on your birth date within a roughly 365-day year, and the Chinese zodiac assigns an animal based on your birth year. Mayan astrology uses the 260-day Tzolk’in, so your sign depends on the specific day you were born.

Do people still use the Tzolk’in today?

Yes. Some Maya communities, including in Guatemala, still keep the Tzolk’in count today. The Day Sign personality descriptions you’ll find online are a modern, popular take on that tradition.

Eager to learn more about astrology around the world? Explore your sign in our guide to the Chinese zodiac signs.