The 20 Mayan Day Signs: Complete Guide to Solar Seals

The Sacred 20: Your Cosmic Archetype

The 20 Mayan day signs, also known as Solar Seals, form the backbone of the Tzolkin calendar. Each sign represents a fundamental archetype—a universal energy pattern that shapes personality, purpose, and potential. Think of them as 20 different faces of creation, each offering its own gifts and lessons.

The Maya observed these patterns in nature, in human behavior, and in the cycles of time itself. Each sign connects to specific animals, natural forces, or cosmic principles that help us understand its essence.

The 20 Day Signs Explained

1. Imix (Crocodile) - The Nurturer

Nahuatl Name: Cipactli Element: Water Keywords: Creative, Nurturing, Protective, Sensitive, Emotional

Imix represents the primordial mother energy—the source from which all life springs. Like a crocodile guarding her eggs, Imix people are deeply protective and nurturing. They have strong maternal or paternal instincts, even if they don't have children.

Strengths: Natural caregivers, emotionally intelligent, creative problem-solvers, excellent at establishing foundations Challenges: Can be overprotective, struggle with letting go, tendency toward emotional overwhelm Life Purpose: To nurture new beginnings and create safe spaces for growth

2. Ik (Wind) - The Communicator

Nahuatl Name: Ehecatl Element: Air Keywords: Spiritual, Communicative, Inspirational, Changeable, Mental

Ik is the breath of spirit, the divine wind that carries messages between worlds. These folks are natural communicators who excel at articulating abstract ideas. They're often drawn to writing, speaking, or teaching.

Strengths: Excellent communicators, highly intuitive, able to sense subtle energies, inspiring to others Challenges: Can be scattered or unfocused, difficulty with grounding, tendency to overthink Life Purpose: To channel divine inspiration and share spiritual wisdom

3. Akbal (Night) - The Dreamer

Nahuatl Name: Calli Element: Darkness Keywords: Intuitive, Mysterious, Introspective, Psychic, Deep

Akbal represents the mystery of the night—the realm of dreams, intuition, and hidden knowledge. These are the mystics and seekers who feel most alive in the depths of consciousness.

Strengths: Powerful intuition, ability to access subconscious wisdom, comfortable with mystery, natural counselors Challenges: Can get lost in their inner world, struggle with practical matters, fear of the unknown Life Purpose: To explore the depths of consciousness and bring back hidden wisdom

4. Kan (Seed) - The Cultivator

Nahuatl Name: Cuetzpallin Element: Earth/Fire Keywords: Growth-oriented, Abundant, Fertile, Potential, Sexual

Kan is the seed of potential, the lizard that regenerates. This sign embodies raw creative and sexual energy, abundance, and the power of manifestation. Kan people are all about growth and expansion.

Strengths: Natural manifestors, sexually vibrant, abundant mindset, excellent at recognizing potential Challenges: Can be excessive or overindulgent, struggle with patience, scattered energy Life Purpose: To plant seeds of potential and nurture them into full bloom

5. Chicchan (Serpent) - The Life Force

Nahuatl Name: Coatl Element: Fire Keywords: Passionate, Instinctive, Powerful, Transformative, Intense

Chicchan represents the kundalini serpent—raw life force energy. These individuals are intensely passionate and deeply connected to their primal nature. They understand survival and transformation at a cellular level.

Strengths: Powerful presence, natural healers, ability to transmute energy, strong survival instincts Challenges: Can be overwhelming to others, struggle with intensity, tendency toward extremes Life Purpose: To master and channel life force energy for transformation

6. Cimi (Death) - The Transformer

Nahuatl Name: Miquiztli Element: Air/Spirit Keywords: Transformative, Spiritual, Releasing, Profound, Mystical

Don't let the name scare you! Cimi represents transformation through release—the sacred death that precedes rebirth. These people understand that endings are necessary for new beginnings.

Strengths: Ability to let go gracefully, natural psychics, comfortable with transitions, deep spiritual wisdom Challenges: Can be detached or aloof, difficulty staying grounded in physical reality Life Purpose: To guide others through transformation and teach the wisdom of release

7. Manik (Deer) - The Healer

Nahuatl Name: Mazatl Element: Earth Keywords: Healing, Harmonious, Helpful, Skilled, Cooperative

Manik is the graceful deer, representing healing hands and the power of completion. These are your natural healers, craftspeople, and those who bring things to harmonious conclusion.

Strengths: Gifted healers, highly skilled hands, ability to create harmony, excellent team players Challenges: Can be too accommodating, struggle with self-care, tendency to fix everyone Life Purpose: To bring healing and help others complete their journeys

8. Lamat (Star) - The Artist

Nahuatl Name: Tochtli Element: Air/Water Keywords: Artistic, Harmonious, Beautiful, Loving, Balanced

Lamat represents Venus, the morning star—the embodiment of beauty, art, and harmony. These individuals are natural artists who see and create beauty everywhere they go.

Strengths: Artistic talent, eye for beauty, ability to create harmony, natural diplomats Challenges: Can be vain or superficial, struggle with ugly realities, avoidance of conflict Life Purpose: To create beauty and harmony in the world

9. Muluc (Water) - The Emotional Navigator

Nahuatl Name: Atl Element: Water Keywords: Emotional, Flowing, Purifying, Grateful, Sensitive

Muluc is universal water—the ocean of emotion and the power of purification. These people feel everything deeply and understand the wisdom of emotional flow.

Strengths: Deep emotional intelligence, natural empaths, ability to purify and cleanse, grateful hearts Challenges: Can be overwhelmed by emotions, difficulty with boundaries, tendency to absorb others' feelings Life Purpose: To navigate emotional waters and teach the power of gratitude

10. Oc (Dog) - The Loyal Companion

Nahuatl Name: Itzcuintli Element: Earth Keywords: Loyal, Friendly, Guiding, Emotional, Devoted

Oc represents the faithful dog—unconditional love and loyal companionship. These are the friends who'll stick with you through anything, the ones with hearts of gold.

Strengths: Unwavering loyalty, natural guides, excellent friends, emotionally available Challenges: Can be codependent, struggle with betrayal, tendency to lose self in relationships Life Purpose: To embody unconditional love and guide others home

11. Chuen (Monkey) - The Artist Trickster

Nahuatl Name: Ozomatli Element: Air Keywords: Creative, Playful, Artistic, Clever, Entertaining

Chuen is the playful monkey, the cosmic trickster who creates through joy and play. These individuals refuse to take life too seriously and find creative solutions through lightheartedness.

Strengths: Natural performers, creative problem-solvers, ability to bring joy, artistic talent Challenges: Can be immature or flighty, difficulty with responsibility, scattered focus Life Purpose: To remind us that creation should be joyful and playful

12. Eb (Road) - The Pathfinder

Nahuatl Name: Malinalli Element: Earth Keywords: Purposeful, Ambitious, Conscious, Dedicated, Focused

Eb represents the road of human destiny. These are the path-builders, the ones who create roads for others to follow. They're deeply conscious of their life purpose.

Strengths: Clear sense of direction, natural leaders, ability to stay focused, builds lasting structures Challenges: Can be rigid or inflexible, struggle with detours, workaholic tendencies Life Purpose: To build pathways and help others find their direction

13. Ben (Reed) - The Leader

Nahuatl Name: Acatl Element: Earth Keywords: Authoritative, Leader, Supportive, Strong, Structured

Ben is the reed—flexible yet strong, the pillar that supports the home. These individuals are natural authorities who lead through example and create stable foundations.

Strengths: Natural leadership, ability to create structure, supportive presence, respected by others Challenges: Can be authoritarian, struggle with flexibility, tendency toward control Life Purpose: To provide strong leadership and create stable foundations

14. Ix (Jaguar) - The Shaman

Nahuatl Name: Ocelotl Element: Earth Keywords: Magical, Powerful, Feminine, Shamanic, Psychic

Ix represents the jaguar spirit—earth magic and shamanic power. These are the natural witches and wizards, comfortable walking between worlds and working with earth energies.

Strengths: Powerful magic, connection to earth energies, natural shamans, protective of sacred spaces Challenges: Can be secretive or withdrawn, difficulty trusting, tendency toward isolation Life Purpose: To work with earth magic and protect sacred wisdom

15. Men (Eagle) - The Visionary

Nahuatl Name: Cuauhtli Element: Air Keywords: Visionary, Wise, Mental, Spiritual, Far-seeing

Men is the eagle that soars above, seeing patterns others miss. These individuals have the highest perspective and can envision possibilities beyond current limitations.

Strengths: Visionary thinking, ability to see the big picture, natural strategists, spiritual wisdom Challenges: Can be detached from emotions, difficulty with details, tendency toward escapism Life Purpose: To see from the highest perspective and share visionary wisdom

16. Cib (Owl) - The Wisdom Keeper

Nahuatl Name: Cozcacuauhtli Element: Air Keywords: Wise, Forgiving, Intuitive, Karmic, Deep

Cib represents the owl—ancient wisdom and the clearing of karma. These old souls understand forgiveness and carry deep wisdom from many lifetimes.

Strengths: Ancient wisdom, ability to forgive, understanding of karma, natural counselors Challenges: Can carry old wounds, difficulty with the present moment, tendency toward melancholy Life Purpose: To clear karma and share ancient wisdom

17. Caban (Earth) - The Synchronist

Nahuatl Name: Ollin Element: Earth Keywords: Grounded, Evolving, Synchronistic, Dynamic, Connected

Caban is the earth force itself—the power of synchronicity and evolution. These people are incredibly grounded yet constantly evolving, masters of being present while moving forward.

Strengths: Powerful manifestors, natural connection to synchronicity, grounded presence, ability to catalyze change Challenges: Can experience overwhelming change, struggle with stability, earthquake-like disruptions Life Purpose: To ground spiritual energy and navigate constant evolution

18. Etznab (Mirror) - The Truth Seeker

Nahuatl Name: Tecpatl Element: Air Keywords: Clear, Truthful, Reflective, Honest, Sharp

Etznab is the obsidian mirror—the sword of truth that cuts through illusion. These individuals are brutally honest and help others see reality clearly.

Strengths: Clear perception, ability to cut through BS, natural truth-tellers, reflective wisdom Challenges: Can be harsh or cutting, difficulty with diplomacy, tendency to hurt with truth Life Purpose: To reflect truth and help others see clearly

19. Cauac (Storm) - The Catalyst

Nahuatl Name: Quiahuitl Element: Water/Air Keywords: Transformative, Cleansing, Powerful, Regenerating, Catalytic

Cauac is the thunderstorm—powerful, cleansing, transformative. These individuals bring necessary change, clearing away what's stagnant to make room for new growth.

Strengths: Catalytic presence, ability to clear energy, natural transformers, regenerative power Challenges: Can be disruptive or chaotic, difficulty with gentle approaches, tendency to overwhelm Life Purpose: To catalyze transformation through the power of storm

20. Ahau (Sun) - The Enlightened One

Nahuatl Name: Xochitl Element: Fire Keywords: Enlightened, Loving, Radiant, Conscious, Ascending

Ahau is the sun lord—enlightenment, unconditional love, and ascended consciousness. These are the natural spiritual teachers who radiate wisdom and love.

Strengths: Natural spiritual leaders, radiant presence, ability to enlighten others, unconditional love Challenges: Can have messiah complex, difficulty with shadow work, tendency toward spiritual bypassing Life Purpose: To embody enlightenment and help others ascend

Finding Your Sign

Each of these 20 signs combines with 13 galactic tones to create 260 unique energetic signatures. Your specific combination reveals not just which archetypal energy you carry, but how you express it.

Ready to discover which day sign is yours? Use our Mayan Sign Calculator to find your galactic signature and dive deeper into your cosmic blueprint.

Working With Your Day Sign

Knowing your day sign isn't about limiting yourself—it's about understanding your natural inclinations:

• Lean into your strengths: Your sign shows where you naturally excel
• Be aware of challenges: Forewarned is forearmed
• Honor your purpose: Your sign points toward your soul's mission
• Connect with your tribe: Find others who share your sign or complementary signs

The ancient Maya used this wisdom to understand themselves and each other. In our modern world, these archetypal patterns still hold true, offering timeless insights into human nature.

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Continue your journey: Learn about the 13 Galactic Tones that modify how you express your day sign energy.