Today we will learn the basics of Mayan Astrology! The Ancient Maya carefully studied the sky, developing their famously detailed Tzolk'in Calendar. Below we will delve into the origins of Mayan Astrology and the signs associated with it!
Welcome to Ramstrology, the astrology blog written by Aries Ram, C. M. Ramsburg! Ramstrology delves into various Zodiac systems to highlight their diverse cultural influences. In this blog series, you'll learn the basic principles of astrology that are found in my YA Fantasy, SON OF THE SUN.
History of Mayan Astrology
The ancient Mayan civilization began nearly 2,800 years ago in Mesoamerica, now known as Mexico and Central America. The Mayan Calendar, Tzolk'in, is a 260-day calendar year consisting of 20 days/signs and 13 galactic numbers. The Mayans believed the universe was divided into three parts: the starry heavens above, the stony middle-ground of earth, and the watery underworld below. The ancient Maya studied the night sky, recording their astronomical findings by carving hieroglyphics onto stone and jade. The majority of their findings were destroyed by Spanish Catholics who found Mayan rituals to be satanic during the Spanish Conquest. The three ancient civilizations that dominated Central and South American were the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas. All three civilizations studied the stars and worshiped their own gods, the Mayans being the oldest of these civilizations. I address all three of these ancient civilizations and their connections to the stars in my YA Fantasy, SON OF THE SUN.
Son of the Sun, C. M. Ramsburg
“The Ancient Incas used the Intihuatana Stone as an astronomical clock and calendar for their empire."
What is Your Mayan Zodiac Sign?
The Mayan Zodiac consists of 20 Zodiac signs, alternating in order between red, white, blue, and yellow signs. There is some discrepancy between sign name interpretations and spelling, where the meanings may differ between Yucatec Maya and Quiche Maya. Each sign has an animal association, whether the animal is included in the official sign name or not. Each sign is also associated with one of the four cardinal directions: north, south, east, and west. The Mayan Calendar and calculations differ greatly from western calendars. Therefore, you must refer to a Mayan sign calculator to discover your personal Mayan sign. The Mayans believed that one's sign influenced their personality and destiny. Below we will discuss the 20 Mayan Zodiac signs and their interpretations!
Imix (Red Crocodile):
Imix is the first sign in Mayan Astrology, representing new beginnings. This sign is associated with the color red, crocodiles, and the east. Those born of this sign are often brave and hardworking. They are strong and determined, making great warriors. However, they can be aggressive, dominating, indecisive, jealous, and selfish. Their lucky gem is red jasper. This sign is most compatible with Ik (wind) and incompatible with Chuwen (monkey).
Ik (White Wind/Hummingbird):
Ik is associated with the color white, hummingbirds, and the north. Those born of this sign are often spiritual and imaginative. They are free-spirited dreamers with an idealistic and flexible approach toward life. However, they can be flaky, dishonest, and negligent. Their lucky gem is sodalite. This sign is most compatible with Akbal (night) and incompatible with Eb (grass).
Akbal (Blue Night/Bat):
Akbal is associated with the color blue, bats, and the west. Those born of this sign are often optimistic and ambitious. They are accomplished problem-solvers who are patient and loyal. However, they can be vindictive and inflexible. Their lucky gem is snowflake obsidian. This sign is most compatible with Kan (seed) and incompatible with Ben (reed).
Kan (Yellow Seed/Lizard):
Kan is associated with the color yellow, lizards, and the south. Those born of this sign are often passionate and wise. They excel in the art of communication and negotiation. However, they can be argumentative and difficult. Their lucky gem is dumortierite. This sign is most compatible with Chikchan (serpent) and incompatible with Ix (jaguar).
Chikchan (Red Serpent):
Chikchan is associated with the color red, serpents, and the east. Those born of this sign are often energetic and intelligent. They are empathetic and charismatic. However, they can be opportunistic and disloyal. Their lucky gem is amethyst. This sign is most compatible with Kimi (death) and incompatible with Men (eagle).
Kimi (White Death/Owl):
Kimi is associated with the color white, owls, and the north. Those born of this sign are often patient and generous. They are open-minded and enjoy helping those around them. However, they can be oversensitive and unappreciative. Their lucky gem is carnelian. This sign is most compatible with Manik (deer) and incompatible with Kib (vulture).
Manik (Blue Hand/Deer):
Manik is associated with the color blue, deer, and the west. Those born of this sign are well-respected by those in their community. They are confident, responsible, and strong. However, they can be angry and demanding. Their lucky gem is amazonite. This sign is most compatible with Lamat (rabbit) and incompatible with K'aban (earth).
Lamat (Yellow Star/Rabbit):
Lamat is associated with the color yellow, rabbits, and the south. Those born of this sign are often fortunate and responsible. They are lively and intuitive, heavily relying on their emotions. However, they can be rebellious and self-centered. Their lucky gem is hematite. This sign is most compatible with Muluk (moon) and incompatible with Etz'nab (mirror).
Muluk (Red Moon/Shark):
Muluk is associated with the color red, sharks, and the east. Those born of this sign are often sincere and imaginative. They would willingly sacrifice themselves for those they love or for a greater cause. However, they can be emotional and vengeful. Their lucky gem is lapis lazuli. This sign is most compatible with Ok (dog) and incompatible with K'awak (storm).
Ok (White Dog):
Ok is associated with the color white, dogs, and the north. Those born of this sign are often loyal and protective. They are courageous, honest, helpful, and alert. However, they can be naive and insecure. Their lucky gem is bloodstone. This sign is most compatible with Chuwen (monkey) and incompatible with Ahau (sun).
Chuwen (Blue Monkey):
Chuwen is associated with the color blue, monkeys, and the west. Those born of this sign are often fun-loving socialites. They are charismatic and artistic. However, they can be superficial and arrogant. Their lucky gem is aventurine. This sign is most compatible with Eb (grass) and incompatible with Imix (crocodile).
Eb (Yellow Grass/Mountain Lion):
Eb is associated with the color yellow, mountain lions, and the south. Those born of this sign are hardworking and opportunistic. They are often organized, introverted, and adaptable. However, they may be reserved and aloof. Their lucky gem is malachite. This sign is most compatible with Ben (reed) and incompatible with Ik (wind).
Ben (Red Reed/Armadillo):
Ben is associated with the color red, armadillos, and the east. Those born of this sign are often wise and supportive. They are talented perfectionists that willingly spread their generosity. However, they can be authoritative and prefer to work alone. Their lucky gem is turquoise. This sign is most compatible with Ix (jaguar) and incompatible with Akbal (night).
Ix (White Jaguar):
Ix is associated with the color white, jaguars, and the north. Those born of this sign are often sophisticated and clever. They are strong, decisive, astute, patient, and practical. However, they can be arrogant and overbearing. Their lucky gem is moonstone. This sign is most compatible with Men (eagle) and incompatible with Kan (seed).
Men (Blue Eagle):
Men is associated with the color blue, eagles, and the west. Those born of this sign are often independent and ambitious. They are analytical perfectionists who find pride in their intelligence. However, they can be critical and stubborn. Their lucky gem is moonstone. This sign is most compatible with Kib (vulture) and incompatible with Chikchan (serpent).
Kib (Yellow Vulture):
Kib is associated with the color yellow, vultures, and the south. Those born of this sign are often studious and knowledgeable. They are great visionaries and strategists. However, they can be cynical and jaded. Their lucky gem is moonstone This sign is most compatible with K'aban (earth) and incompatible with Kimi (death).
K'aban (Red Earth/Woodpecker):
K'aban is associated with the color red, woodpeckers, and the east. Those born of this sign are often conservative and practical. They are philosophical, valuing justice and innovation. However, they can be condescending and overly curious. Their lucky gem is agate. This sign is most compatible with Etz'nab (mirror) and incompatible with Manik (deer).
Etz'nab (White Mirror/Fish):
Etz'nab is associated with the color white, fish, and the north. Those born of this sign are often selfless and courageous, sacrificing themselves for the greater good. They are logical and cautious. However, they can be reserved and resentful. Their lucky gem is rhodonite. This sign is most compatible with K'awak (storm) and incompatible with Lamat (rabbit).
K'awak (Blue Storm/Turtle):
K'awak is associated with the color blue, turtles, and the west. Those born of this sign are often calm, nurturing, and imaginative. They are spiritual healers who are connected to nature. However, they can be idealistic and fragile. Their lucky gem is jade. This sign is most compatible with Ahau (sun) and incompatible with Muluk (moon).
Ahau (Yellow Sun/Snail):
Ahau is associated with the color yellow, snails, and the south. Those born of this sign are often honest and affectionate. They are creative, talented, and wise. However, they can be close-minded and unteachable. Their lucky gem is rose quartz. This sign is most compatible with Imix (crocodile) and incompatible with Ok (dog).
Son of the Sun, C. M. Ramsburg
“May the Incan Sun God, Inti, watch over Quito and its people.”
Fun Facts About the Author
C. M. Ramsburg first became interested in Mayan culture when her third grade gifted and talented class devoted the entire year to studying the ancient Mayans. She quickly learned the Mayan hieroglyphic alphabet, including how to spell her own name. During her first travel industry job fresh out of college, she went on a week-long cruise to fulfill her dreams of visiting important Mayan landmarks. She was fortunate enough to visit both the Mayan Ruins of Tulum, Mexico and Altun Ha, Belize. She also braved bats and giant spiders in order to visit a Mayan cave deep in the Belize jungle, where the ancient Maya carved human figures into the cave structure.
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