Diagram showing complete reduction into Arabic numbers of the calculation shown on page 24 of the Dresden Codex ([Plate XXIV]).
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hieroglyphs | 151,840 | 113,880 | 75,920 | 37,960 | 1 | ||
| 1 Ahau | 1 Ahau | 1 Ahau | 1 Ahau | ||||
| 185,120 | 68,900 | 33,280 | 9,100 | 2 | |||
| 1 Ahau | 1 Ahau | 1 Ahau | 1 Ahau | ||||
| 35,040 | 32,120 | 29,200 | 26,280 | 3 | |||
| 6 Ahau | 11 Ahau | 3 Ahau | 8 Ahau | ||||
| 23,360 | 20,440 | 17,520 | 14,600 | 4 | |||
| 2,200 | 1,366,560 | 1,364,360 | 13 Ahau | 5 Ahau | 10 Ahau | 2 Ahau | |
| 4 Ahau | 1 Ahau | 1 Ahau | 11,680 | 8,760 | 5,840 | 2,920 | 5 |
| 8 Cumhu | 18 Kayab | 18 Uo | 7 Ahau | 12 Ahau | 4 Ahau | 9 Ahau | |
From section 3, the calculation jumps to section 1 where the numbers in the original are partly destroyed. They have, however, been restored with perfect assurance since the days in all instances are 1 Ahau and therefore must be separated by multiples of 260 days. The number in G1 has been restored as 5-5-8-0 or 37,960 or 13 × 2920. It contains 260 an even number of times and therefore every successive period of 37,960 days begins with the same day, 1 Ahau. It also equals 13 × 8 × 365 days or 104 years and 13 × 5 × 584 days or sixty-five revolutions of Venus.
Fig. 48. Mayan Ceremony as represented in the Dresden Codex. The figure at the left beats a drum while the one on the right plays a flageolet. The sound is indicated by scrolls. The head on the pyramid is that of the Maize God and it rests upon the sign caban, meaning earth.
The three numbers to the left in F1, E1, and D1 are respectively 2, 3, and 4 times 37,960. The last number, 151,840 days is therefore equal to 416 years or exactly 8 calendar rounds of 18,980 days.
The numbers in section 2 are more difficult to explain but they possibly have to do with corrections and correlations of astronomical periods. If we add to 1 Ahau 18 Kayab the number of days in E2, (68900), we arrive at a day 1 Ahau 13 Mac. This day is prominent in more detailed calculations elsewhere in the Dresden Codex. If we add to the same 1 Ahau 18 Kayab the number in D2 we arrive at 1 Ahau 18 Uo recorded at the bottom of C. Space permits no further explanation but the reader will see from the foregoing the method of experiment and cross checking that must be applied to the decipherment of the Mayan manuscripts. Fortunately, the relationships of numbers are absolute and the coincidences between the recorded numbers and astronomical periods are too close and frequent to be dismissed as accidental.
In addition to rational calculations dealing with astronomy one sees in the Mayan manuscripts many arrangements of the tzolkin supposed to bring to light good and bad days and to forecast events. A section of the Dresden Codex showing a condensed tzolkin is presented along with a diagram of its parts. At the top and right are seventeen hieroglyphs containing the symbols of the four directions, and of at least three of the principal gods. At the right is a column of five day signs with the number 3 at the head of the column. The permutation is divided into five parts of fifty-two days each and each part is subdivided into four groups of thirteen days each. It begins with 3 Akbal, the day sign at the top of the column, and after the four subdivisions of thirteen days each have been counted we arrive at the day 3 Men, the second day sign in the column. The count is repeated till the 260 days have been exhausted and we come back again to 3 Akbal. In the diagram the red numbers of the codex are represented by Roman numerals and the black numbers by Arabic numerals. Since the count in this example begins with 3 and the addition is always 13, or exactly one round of numbers, the resultant days always have the number 3.