ahaw – the flowering of the sun and the fullness of life

Laura LaBrie
7 days ago
3 min read

Series: Glyphs of the Maya – Drawing the Day Signs into Your Life

Ahaw (Ajaw/Ahau) the Sun

Key Words: Sun • Flowering • Completion • Leadership • Enlightenment

Ahaw is the flowering sun, the culmination of the sacred cycle, and the day of completion and illumination. It is the full light after the journey through all other day signs — a day of leadership, abundance, and spiritual maturity. Ahaw carries the warmth and generosity of the sun, the beauty of the flower in full bloom, and the clarity of enlightenment. It honors the life force that sustains all beings and reminds us to stand fully in our own light while nurturing others. This is the day of the wise leader, the teacher, and the one who carries the torch for the community. It is a day to shine brightly, to celebrate achievements, and to bless the path ahead.

Ahaw days are ideal for:

Recognizing and celebrating achievements.
Taking on leadership roles.
Teaching and guiding others.
Strengthening community bonds.
Practicing gratitude and generosity.
Seeking spiritual enlightenment.

drawing the ahaw glyph

The Ahaw glyph represents the radiant sun and the four directions, surrounded by the breath of life.

How to draw it:

Draw the inner square and the core or heart of the glyph.
Draw the outer square around it.
Draw the breath scrolls flowing outward — these are the life-force of the glyph. In Maya tradition, the breath scrolls show that the glyph is alive and breathing. Without them, it is only a static image; with them, it becomes a living, breathing presence that can work with you.

A note about these glyph images:The drawings you see here are from my personal grimoire. They are on lined paper because they were created during my own magical practice — each line a record of connection. These glyphs are not copied from printed sources; they were drawn by hand, holding the intention and energy of the day sign itself. Some are simplified slightly so you can draw them more easily, even if you’ve never worked with Maya glyphs before. The simplification does not take away their power — the act of drawing them with intention is what awakens their energy.

As you draw, imagine the warmth of the sun filling the space around you, bringing life, joy, and illumination.

using the glyph’s energy

in your home

Place it in a central area to bless the whole household.
Keep it in your workspace to inspire confidence and clarity.
Hang it where people gather to promote harmony and leadership.

on your body

Mark it on your forehead before teaching or public speaking.
Wear it as a pendant to embody leadership and generosity.
Draw it on your hands when creating or blessing something important.

other ways

Carve it into candles for celebrations, initiations, or leadership rituals.
Draw it on thank-you notes or blessings for others.
Write a gratitude list, then draw the glyph over it to magnify the joy.

awakening the glyph

To call forth Ahaw’s energy:

Sit with the glyph before you.
Inhale deeply, feeling the sun’s warmth fill your chest.
Exhale with the words Ahaw Ahaw — “Lord Ahaw” — addressing the day god with respect and inviting the fullness of the sun’s light.
- In Yucatec Maya, Ahaw means “Lord” and is the proper form of address when speaking directly to the Day Gods. Here it is repeated to emphasize the honor and completion of the cycle.
Repeat three times.
Whisper: “Ahaw Ahaw — let my life flower in beauty, truth, and light.”

This unites the image of the glyph, the breath scrolls of life-force, and the sacred name of the day lord, activating Ahaw’s blessing of illumination and fulfillment.