Xihuitl

Literally means year and also turquoise, comet, and herb.

Xihuitl as Year

Universal year bearer sign found throughout Anahuac. Spinden, Herbert Joseph. Ancient Civilizations of Mexico and Central America. Page 222.

There are four year bearers in the Anahuaca calendar system which vary across cultures. The most common which are found throughout central and southern Mexico in Pre-Cuauhtemoc codices are: tochtli, acatl, tecpatl, and calli. The codex Porfirio Diaz also ascribed the year bearers ehecatl, mazatl, malinalli, and ollin to the Cuicateca. Tochtli is the first year sign and is the year counter of huitztlampa, the south. Acatl is the second year sign and is the year counter of tlauhcampa, the east, direction of the sun. Tecpatl is the third year sign and is the year counter of mictlampa, the north, direction of the land of the dead. Calli is the fourth year sign and is the year counter of Cihuatlampa, the west, the direction where the women dwelt. The year bearers cycle through time with an accompanying number 1-13. 1-tochtli is followed by 2-acatl, 3-tecpatl, and 4-calli until we reach the end of the cycle which is 13 - calli. Upon reaching 13 - calli, 52 years have passed because 13 X 4 = 52. The next cycle then starts on 1-tochtli and a New Fire Ceremony was celebrated throughout Anahuac to bring in the next 52 year cycle.