What is the Difference Between Mayan Calendar and Aztec Calendar?

The Mayan and Aztec calendars were both complex systems used by ancient Mesoamerican civilizations to track time and astronomical events. While they shared some similarities, there were also key differences between the two:

1. Number of Calendars: The Mayans had three calendars, while the Aztecs had two.
2. Long Count Calendar: The Mayan calendar included a Long Count calendar, which recorded cycles of time spanning many thousands of years. The Aztec calendar lacked a Long Count calendar.
3. Simplification: The Aztec calendar was a simplified version of the Mayan calendar.
4. Cultural Context: The Aztecs were influenced by the Mayans and likely adopted and adapted the Mayan calendar for their own use.

Both calendars used a combination of 260-day and 365-day cycles, resulting in a 52-year "calendar round". The Mayan 260-day religious cycle was called Tzolkin, while the Aztec equivalent was Tonalpohualli.

In summary, while the Mayan and Aztec calendars shared some similarities, the Mayan calendar was more complex and included a Long Count calendar to track large spans of time. The Aztec calendar, on the other hand, was a simplified version of the Mayan calendar and lacked the Long Count feature.

Comparative Table: Mayan Calendar vs Aztec Calendar

The Mayan and Aztec calendars were both used by ancient Mesoamerican civilizations to organize time and events. They shared some similarities but also had distinct differences. Here is a table comparing the two calendars:

Both calendars were used for religious, agricultural, and administrative purposes. The Mayan calendar was more complex, with multiple cycles and synchronized ritual days throughout Mesoamerica. The Aztec calendar, on the other hand, was based on the Mayan calendar but had some differences in structure and organization.