chuwen – the weaver of time and the playful creator

Laura LaBrie
Sep 9
3 min read

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

Key Words: Creativity • Time • Connection • Ancestors • Fun

Chuwen is the thread of time — the connection from past to present to future, weaving together the lives of humans, nature, and spirit. It is the artistry of creation and the joy of living. Chuwen is the great craftsman, the patron of arts and knowledge, and the spark that inspires new ideas.

The monkey of Chuwen is clever, curious, and loves to have fun. He reminds us that creativity thrives in joy and that laughter is part of the sacred work of weaving life’s patterns.

Chuwen days are ideal for:

Starting a new project or business venture.
Following the ways and advice of the elders.
Planning a marriage or getting married.
Having a party.
Being creative in any form.
Honoring your past.

drawing the chuwen glyph

The Chuwen glyph reflects the thread of time and the playful, inventive spirit that moves through creation.

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 golden thread of time weaving through your life, connecting you to your ancestors and to the generations yet to come.

using the glyph’s energy

in your home

Place it in your creative space to inspire artistry and new ideas.
Keep it near your altar to ancestors to strengthen your connection with them.
Hang it in spaces where people gather to encourage joy and shared experiences.

on your body

Mark it on your hands before beginning a creative project.
Wear it during weddings, parties, or celebrations to bless the occasion.
Draw it on your heart to connect with the joy of creation.

other ways

Carve it into candles for new beginnings in art, love, or business.
Draw it on invitations for a wedding, party, or creative gathering.
Write your creative goals or project ideas, then draw the glyph over them to infuse them with Chuwen’s energy

awakening the glyph

To call forth Chuwen’s energy:

Sit with the glyph before you.
Inhale deeply, feeling the golden thread of time connecting you to past and future.
Exhale with the words Ahaw Chuwen — “Lord Chuwen” — addressing the day god with respect and inviting his creative, joyful spirit.
- In Yucatec Maya, Ahaw means “Lord” and is the proper form of address when speaking directly to the Day Gods.
Repeat three times.
Whisper:“Ahaw Chuwen — weave my days with joy, wisdom, and creation.”

This unites the image of the glyph, the breath scrolls of life-force, and the sacred name of the day lord, activating Chuwen’s playful, creative magic.