kiin

Kiin, sometimes written ki’in or K’in, is a term found in several Mayan languages meaning “sun” or “day.” It is frequently used in linguistic and historical contexts to refer to calendrical concepts derived from the solar cycle. In modern transliteration, the root may be presented as Kiin, ki’in, or k’in, depending on the source and the local spelling conventions.

In Mayan languages, ki’in is a core semantic element related to timekeeping and the sun. The term appears in calendrical vocabulary and in personal and royal names, reflecting the cultural importance of the sun in Maya cosmology and daily life. A well-known example from Mayan onomastics is the royal title K’inich, which combines ki’in with ich meaning “face,” yielding “sun-faced.” This title has been borne by several Maya rulers, highlighting the symbolic link between kingship and the sun.

Linguistically, ki’in is a productive morpheme across varieties such as Yucatec and K’iche’, though pronunciation and spelling differ by locality and transcription system. In scholarly writing about the Maya, ki’in is discussed as part of the broader system of timekeeping, ritual, and calendrical computation, illustrating how a single root connects language, astronomy, and culture.

Today, ki’in remains relevant in studies of Maya languages and in language revival efforts. It also appears in inscriptions and educational materials as a concise reminder of the sun’s central place in Maya history and everyday life.