Who Was Lord Pakal?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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K’inich Janaab’ Pakal (23 March 603 CE – 31 March 683 CE) was

the Maya king of Palenque in

the modern-day State of Chiapas, Mexico. … Pacal assumed the throne of Palenque at the age of 12, in 615 CE, and ruled successfully until his death at the age of 80.

Who is Pakal and what was importance to the Classic Mayans?

One of the most famous Maya rulers was K’inich Janaab Pakal, whom we know today as ‘Pakal the Great’. He was

king of Palenque

for 68 years, longer than any other ruler in the Ancient Maya world!

How did Pakal become king?

Pakal ascended the throne at

age 12

and lived to the age of 80. He was preceded as ruler of Palenque by his mother, Lady Sak Kʼukʼ as the Palenque dynasty seems to have had Queens only when there was no eligible male heir; Sak Kʼukʼ transferred rulership to her son upon his official maturity.

What does the name Pakal mean?

Pakal (also spelled Pacal; meaning

“shield” in

several Maya languages) forms the (common) name or part of the full name of several pre-Columbian Maya personages identified in the monumental inscriptions of sites in the Maya region of Mesoamerica.

Who was Pakal the shield?

Kʼinich Janaab Pakal I, also known as Pacal, Pacal the Great, 8 Ahau and Sun Shield, was

ajaw of the Maya city-state of Palenque

in the Late Classic period of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican chronology. He acceded to the throne in July 615 and ruled until his death.

Who was the first Mayan leader?


Yax K’uk’ Mo’ (pronounced `Yash Kook Mo’)

was the founder and first king of the dynasty that ruled the Maya city of Copan (in modern day Honduras) for 350 years. Known formally by his royal name, K’inich Yax K’uk’ Mo’, he reigned for eleven years from 426-437 CE.

How did the Mayans make money?

The ancient Maya never used coins as money. Instead, like many early civilizations, they were thought to

mostly barter

, trading items such as tobacco, maize, and clothing.

What religion are the Mayans?

Most Maya today observe a religion composed of

ancient Maya ideas, animism and Catholicism

. Some Maya still believe, for example, that their village is the ceremonial centre of a world supported at its four corners by gods.

What language did the Mayans speak?


Yucatec Maya (known simply as “Maya” to its speakers)

is the most commonly spoken Mayan language in Mexico. It is currently spoken by approximately 800,000 people, the vast majority of whom are to be found on the Yucatán Peninsula. It remains common in Yucatán and in the adjacent states of Quintana Roo and Campeche.

What did Mayan kings?

At the top of Maya society were the kings, or “kuhul ajaw” (holy lords), who claimed to be related to gods and followed a hereditary succession. They were thought to

serve as mediators between the gods and people on earth

, and performed the elaborate religious ceremonies and rituals so important to the Maya culture.

Why was Pakal important?

Also known as Pacal (which means ‘shield’) and Pacal the Great, he is most famous for

raising the city of Palenque (known as B’aakal) from relative obscurity to a great power

, his building projects in the city (especially the Temple of the Inscriptions), and his elaborately carved sarcophagus lid which has been …

What kind of name is Pascal?

Pascal is

a masculine given name

. It is a Francophone name, cognate of Italian name Pasquale, Spanish name Pascual, Catalan name Pasqual and Portuguese name Pascoal. Pascal is common in French-speaking countries, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. Derived feminine forms include Pascale, Pascalle or Pascalina.

Why are the Mayans called the Mayans?

The designation Maya comes from the ancient Yucatan city of Mayapan, the last capital of a Mayan Kingdom in the Post-Classic Period. The Maya people refer to

themselves by ethnicity and language bonds such as Quiche in the south or Yucatec in the north

(though there are many others).

Where is Pakal sarcophagus lid?

The Top of the Sarcophagus Lid

Pakal is

shown in the center of the cosmos

, being reborn into eternal life. He has become one with the god Unen-K’awill, who was associated with maize, fertility, and abundance. He is emerging from a maize seed held by the so-called Earth Monster, whose enormous teeth are clearly shown.

Who was the last Mayan king?


Javier Dzul

has one of the most impressive and exotic resumes in modern dance. He grew up in the jungles of southern Mexico performing Mayan ritual dance until the age of 16 when he became the last king of his Mayan tribe.

How did the Mayans choose their leader?

The Maya believed that their

king was given the right to rule by the gods

. … The leaders of the Maya were called the “halach uinic” or “ahaw”, meaning “lord” or “ruler”. There were also powerful councils of leaders who ran the government. They were chosen from the class of nobles.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.