Maya Calendar Cholq'ij Edition | Interactive Wooden Calendar

Overview: The Maya Calendar Cholq'ij Edition is a handcrafted wooden calendar model that brings the sacred 260-day Maya count to life on a desk or wall. Built as an educational art piece and reference display, it invites you to explore how thirteen sacred numbers cycle through twenty named days to generate the full sequence. Many people search for a “Mayan calendar”; this interactive model focuses on the sacred Maya count known as the Tzolkin (Cholq'ij).

How it works: Four rotating rings let you align a ring of 20 day names with a ring of numbers 1 through 13. Because these cycles are offset, any specific pairing (for example, 1 Imix) returns only after 260 steps. Rotate to show any pairing, read the sequence forward, and demonstrate exactly why the repetition interval is 260. This turns a complex idea into a tactile, visual lesson for classrooms, museums, and home libraries.

Historical significance: The 260-day sacred calendar has deep roots across the Maya world and appears in inscriptions and codices. It complements the 365-day Haab solar year; together they form the Calendar Round, a framework where a given combination repeats about every 52 years (roughly a human lifetime). For clear diagrams and terminology, see the Smithsonian’s Living Maya Time, and a concise summary in Britannica’s Tzolkin article.

Materials and sizes: Precision cut and hand finished for smooth rotation and crisp engraving. Standard diameters are available; custom builds up to 16 inches suit classrooms, offices, and coffee tables.

Personalization: Add a name, date, dedication, or logo on the back; shorter text can be engraved on the frame. See personalized engraving details for options and layout guidelines. Crafted in our Florida workshop for quick turnaround.

Use cases: Teach cyclic time in social studies; connect base 20 numeration and factors in math; anchor a unit on Mesoamerican civilizations; set a conversation piece in offices or public exhibits; or present as a meaningful cultural gift for history enthusiasts, educators, and students ages 10 plus.

Key features (quick scan):

• Interactive wooden model of the 260-day Maya sacred calendar - Cholq'ij.
• Four rotating rings: twenty day names and numbers one through thirteen.
• Premium build with deep laser engraving; smooth, durable action.
• Calendar measures 7" in diameter. Can be custom made up to 16 inches in diameter; protective wooden cover included.
• Optional engraving on frame or back for dedications or logos.
• Handmade in the USA in our Florida workshop.
• Ideal for classrooms, museums, offices, and home libraries; ages 10 plus.

FAQ:
Q: Is this a game? No. It is a teaching aid and reference display with rotating rings to demonstrate the 260-day count.
Q: Why do people say “Mayan calendar”? “Mayan” is common in searches, but “Maya” is preferred in scholarship. This model uses both terms in the copy for clarity and discoverability.
Q: How does it relate to the Haab? The Tzolkin (Cholq'ij) pairs with the 365-day Haab to form the Calendar Round, where a specific combination repeats about every 52 years.
Q: Can you engrave it? Yes. We engrave in-house. Add a name, message, date, or logo on the back; shorter text can be added on the frame. See the engraving page for details.
Q: What sizes are available? Multiple diameters are offered, with custom builds up to 16 inches for classrooms or exhibits.
Q: Where is it made? Handmade in the USA and finished in our Florida workshop.

Where to browse next: Looking for occasion-ready ideas? Visit our Puzzle and Game Gift Center for curated picks by interest and audience.

Summary: An accurate, tactile way to teach and honor the sacred Maya count. Beautiful as a display, rigorous as a teaching aid, customizable for gifts or institutional exhibits, and handmade in the USA.