1221
| Years: 1218 1219 1220 - 1221 - 1222 1223 1224 | |
| Decades: 1190s 1200s 1210s - 1220s - 1230s 1240s 1250s | |
| Centuries: 12th century - \'13th century' - 14th century | |
- End of the reign of Emperor Juntoku of Japan
- Emperor Chukyo briefly reigns over Japan
- Emperor Go-Horikawa ascends to the throne of Japan
- Merv sacked by the Mongols
- Revolt against rulers of Chichen Itza by Maya of the Yucatán
- Aragon - James I King of Aragon and count of Barcelona (reigned from 1213 to 1276)
- Castile - Ferdinand III, the Saint King of Castile and Leon (reigned from 1217 to 1252)
- France - Philippe II, Auguste King of France (reigned from 1180 to 1223)
- Holy See - Honorius III pope (from 1216 to 1227)
- Mongol Empire - Genghis Khan, Mongol Khan (from 1206 to 1227)
- Navarre - Sancho VII the Strong King of Navarre (reigned from 1194 to 1234)
- Portugal - Afonso II, the Fat, King of Portugal (reigned from 1212 to 1233)
- Venice - Pietro Ziani Doge of Venice (ruled from 1205 to 1229)