How to Make Aztec Calendar Wheels

An Aztec calendar comprises 260 days divided by 13 months; each month contains 20 days. The Aztecs used the wheel to determine when to perform rituals and festivals; the ancient makers of the calendar incorporated the Aztec gods into it by depicting the symbol of each of their gods in the individual segments. If you want to celebrate the Aztec year and recognize its gods, you can make your own Aztec calendar wheel using basic craft supplies. In addition, the calendar will make a creative decorative item for your home that complements a wide variety of decor.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard or poster board
• Circular templates
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Calculator, if desired
• Colored pencils or markers
• Paper fastener or brad

1. Making the Wheels

   • 1
     Find two circular templates. You can use household items such as a bowl or the bottom of a tubular container. One circle should be about 3 inches larger than the other.
   • 2
     Trace the two templates onto a piece of cardboard or poster board.
   • 3
     Cut out the two circles.
   • 4
     Find the absolute center of the wheels with a ruler and mark the area with a small "X."

   Designing the Wheels

   • 1
     Determine the circumference of each wheel: Multiple the diameter -- the line that passes through the center of the circle -- and multiply it by the dimension for "pi," which is 3.14. Your result will equal the circumference of the circle.
   • 2
     Divide the smaller circle into 13 separate areas based on the circumference of the circle to create 13 equal areas to represent the Aztec calendar. For instance, if your circumference is 26 inches, make each segment 2 inches. It can help to think of the smaller circle of the Aztec calendar as a clock, but instead of 12 numerals, it has 13.
   • 3
     Mark 13 distinct areas on the small circle. Use a ruler to draw a straight line from the center of the circle to the edge. For instance, if your circumference is 26 inches, divide 26 by 13; which results in 2; mark every 2 inches around the circumference. Write the numbers 1 through 13 in the segments of the smaller circle.
   • 4
     Divide the larger circle into 20 segments by determining its circumference and marking it in the same manner as the smaller circle. Each segment will contain the depiction of a god, which is indicated by a symbol. Draw one of the gods’ symbols on each of the 20 segments. The symbols that represent the gods are the following: alligator, wind, house, lizard, serpent, death, deer, rabbit, water, dog, monkey, grass, reed, jaguar, eagle, vulture, motion, flint, rain and flower. Use colored pencils or markers to draw and color the symbols. Alternatively, use images that you find online or in clipart books; trim and glue on the calendar.
   • 5
     Place the small circle over the large circle and center. Insert a paper fastener, also called a brad, into the center of the two wheels to connect them. The two circles will spin to note the day. Move the number one to the first drawing, and each new day, spin to a new drawing until all 20 days have passed. At the end of the cycle, move the top circle to the number two position and repeat.