A trecena (From Spanish: trece) is a 13-day period used in pre-Columbian Mesoamerican calendars. The 260-day Mayan calendar (the tonalpohualli) was divided into 20 trecenas. Trecena is derived from the Spanish chroniclers and translates to "a group of thirteen" in the same way that a dozen (or in Spanish docena) relates to the number twelve. It is associated with the Aztecs, but is called different names in the calendars of the Maya, Zapotec, Mixtec, and others of the region.
Many surviving Mesoamerican codices, such as Codex Borbonicus, are divinatory calendars, based on the 260-day year, with each page representing one trecena.
n.º Trecena Aztec deities associated Cardinal point 1 1 Cipactli (Crocodile) Tonacatecuhtli East 2 1 Ocelotl (Jaguar) Quetzalcoatl North 3 1 Mazatl (Deer) Tepeyollotl West 4 1 Xochitl (Flower) Huehuecoyotl South 5 1 Acatl (Reed) Chalchiuhtlicue East 6 1 Miquiztli (Death) Tonatiuh North 7 1 Quiahuitl (Rain) Tlaloc West 8 1 Malinalli (Grass) Mayahuel South 9 1 Coatl (Serpent) Xiuhtecuhtli East 10 1 Tecpatl (Flint) Mictlantecuhtli North 11 1 Ozomatli (Monkey) Patecatl West 12 1 Cuetzpalin (Lizard) Itztlacoliuhqui South 13 1 Ollin (Movement) Tlazolteotl East 14 1 Itzcuintli (Dog) Xipe Totec North 15 1 Calli (House) Itzpapalotl West 16 1 Cozcacuauhtli (Vulture) Xolotl South 17 1 Atl (Water) Chalchiuhtotolin East 18 1 Ehecatl (Wind) Chantico North 19 1 Cuauhtli (Eagle) Xochiquetzal West 20 1 Tochtli (Rabbit) Itztapaltotec South
See also Aztec calendar Maya calendar Tonalpohualli K'atun
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