The Ancient Egyptian Calendar

Like us, the ancient Egyptians used a solar calendar which consisted of 12 months and 365 days a year. Here’s everything you need to know about the actual calendar the ancient Egyptians used including the names of the seasons and all 12 months.

• The first month of the year was Tekh (also known as Thuthi).
• The second month was Menhet (also known as Paopi).
• The third month was called Hwt-Hru (also known as Hethara).
• The fourth month was called Ka-Hr-Ka (also known as Koiak). This was the last month of Inundation or the time of the flood.
• The 5th month of the year was known as Sf-Bdt (also known as Tybi) and marked the second season of the year, the time of Growth.
• The 6th month was called Rekh Wer (also known as Mechir).
• The 7th month was Rekh Neds (also known as Pamenot).
• The 8th month was called Renwet (also known as Parmutit) and it was the last month of the second season.
• The 9th month was called Hnsw (also known as Pachons) and marked the start of the 3rd and final season of the year, the time of the Harvest.
• The 10th month was called Hnt-Htj (also known as Payni).
• The 11th month was called Ipt-Hmt (also known as Epipi).
• The 12th month was called Wep-Renpet.

At the end of the 30th day of the 12th month of the year, began the five epagomenal days, known as heriu renpet. These five special days were dedicated to the five children of Nut – Osiris, Horus the Elder, Set, Isis, and Nephthys (in that order).

The ancient Egyptian calendar didn’t match up with our own. Our “January” would be Rekh Wer (also known as Mechir). Even the days don’t match up.

Our January 1st, in ancient Egyptian times, would be the 17th day of the month of Rekh Wer (Mechir). Our November 18th, in ancient Egyptian times, would be Sf-Bdt 4 (the 4th day of the month of Sf-Bdt), during the season of Peret. Our July 19th would be the ancient Egyptian month of Tekh 1 (or the 1st day of the month of Tekh).

Each month in Ancient Egyptian times was dedicated to a different God or Goddess.

1. Tekh was dedicated to Thoth
2. Menhet was dedicated to Ptah.
3. Hwt-Hru was dedicated to Hathor.
4. Ka-Hr-Ka was dedicated to Sekhmet.
5. Sf-Bdt was dedicated to Min.
6. Rekh Wer was dedicated to Rehkur (Sacred to (Rekeh) Heru-wer the Great Fire God, He who is in the sky – aka Horus the elder)
7. Rekh Neds was dedicated to Amun-RA.
8. Renwet was dedicated to Renenutet (Rnnwtt/Pharmuthi. Sacred to Rennutet, the snake Goddess of granaries, fertility, nourishment, and good harvests.)
9. Hnsw was dedicated to Khonsu.  ( Sacred to Khonsu/Khensu the falcon-headed moon God who is the decider of the life span, also the God of time, knowledge, healing, and giver of oracles. )
10. Hnt-Htj was dedicated to Horus.
11. Ipt-Hmt was dedicated to Madjet. ( Ipt Hmt/Ipip/Epiphi(Epipy).
    Sacred to the God Ipt/Apt-Tauire, referenced in the Book of the Am-Tuat his hands and arms
    are concealed.)
12. Wep-Renpet was dedicated to Thoth.