Xiuhmolpilli, Mexican Aztec bracelet in sterling silver

"Xiuhmolpilli" is an open cuff bracelet in solid sterling silver, finely engraved with Aztec-inspired motifs and words of encouragement. This unique, custom-made piece was created to celebrate the 52nd birthday of a loved one, echoing a Mesoamerican tradition rich in renewal, transformation, and spirituality.

Among the Aztecs — brilliant astronomers and meticulous keepers of time — the word Xiuhmolpilli literally means “the binding of the years.” Every 52 years, when the 260-day ritual calendar (tonalpohualli) aligned with the 365-day solar calendar (xiuhpohualli), a sacred cycle reached its conclusion. This rare convergence marked the occasion for one of the most important ceremonies in Aztec culture: the New Fire ritual, a cosmic event symbolizing both the end of one era and the hope of a harmonious rebirth.

As this pivotal date approached, tension gripped the Aztec world. Hearths were extinguished, statues of gods were destroyed, and food was abandoned — as if the universe itself were holding its breath. Then, atop the hill of Huixachtlan (modern-day Cerro de la Estrella), priests would light a new sacred fire within the chest cavity of a sacrificial victim. This flame was then carried to every temple and household, reigniting the cosmic order. Had the ritual failed, it was believed the stars would fall, and the tzitzimimeh — monstrous celestial beings — would descend to devour humanity.

The Xiuhmolpilli bracelet bears at its center a stylized glyph inspired by this New Fire ceremony. On either side are engraved the words “Let go” and “Live now”, a personal mantra and invitation to step into a new cycle of inner life. Delicate wave patterns flank the glyph, symbolizing the fluidity of time and the inner peace that comes with resilience and renewal.

This bracelet is a contemporary talisman — a fusion of ancestral Mesoamerican wisdom with a modern philosophy of presence and transformation. Through it, a fragment of Aztec cosmology comes to life again, reinterpreted with care, strength, and meaning.

Material: Sterling silver (925)

As we currently dwell in Mexico, provide a period of 3 to 6 weeks to receive your order for free with normal post service. Thank you for taking this information into account before ordering in our shop. At checkout, you will also have the option of choosing an express shipping. (please, read the complete conditions of shipping here).

You have a question? Contact us.

I hope you will love this jewel as much as I enjoyed creating it.

By Emmanuelle Guyon.

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