Pasah Chan closed his eyes and ran the numbers internally. He had trained many hours to perfect this skill that required manipulating 5 sets of numbers in base 20. Since the Maya used zero, their count was from 0 to 19, except in the second lowest position when the highest number was 18. When the k’in (day) count reached 19, then the uinal (month) advanced by one. When the uinal reached 18, then the tun (year) advanced by one. When the tun reached 19, then the katun (20-tun period) advanced by one, and when the katun reached 19, then the baktun (400-tun period) advanced by one.
Now he was required to subtract, and the mental gyrations were demanding. Soon he worked it out, and again his eyes lit with excitement.
“Although we do not have the exact day and month, the other future time positions arrive at Baktun 9 Katun 8 Tun 9, which matches when Pakal was born. I can check the exact day and month using the other astronomic clues. They are quite precise: The Celestial Twins, Noh Ek (Venus) and Xux Ek (Mercury) are close to the horizon when Noh Ek appears as Eveningstar. This begins a new Noh Ek cycle that initiates the count of days until he becomes Sun Passer as Morningstar. The Moon rises in the eighth zodiac sign of Uo (frog), and below her in a line are K’awiil (Jupiter) and Chak Ek (Mars). They are just above the western horizon at dusk. K’awiil Ek is resuming his forward motion after being still.”
“Ah, there we have it. The Sun Eyed Lord of the Shield – young K’inich Janaab Pakal – is born, he touches the earth. Was he not born on the day 8 Ahau?“
“It is so. And he will receive the white paper headband of rulership. The verses finish by saying this brings great things to Toktan, our city Lakam Ha.”
Both priests settled into silent contemplation, each pursuing his thoughts. Ah K’uch was pleased that his service to the High Priest was so successful; gratified that in his waning years he could still accomplish something significant. Pasah Chan was astonished at the clarity of the ancient prophecy, and its congruence with everything Sak K’uk and her mother Yohl Ik’nal had envisioned. He felt certain that when he checked the records of the sky’s configuration on the date of Pakal’s birth, he would find exactly the astronomical pattern the codex described.
“May I ask, honored High Priest, what you will do with this information?” Ah K’uch was curious. “Needless to say, this information shall I keep solely to myself.”
Pasah Chan smiled warmly at the aged man, sincerely appreciative of his help.
“It is you who are the honored one, Elder Priest, for your exceptional work. This shall I do: I will take the boy Pakal into training early to become a shaman-ruler.”
The old priest nodded and chuckled.
“It is fitting. Now have I one request for you. Allow me to also teach the boy, while I have yet the mind and strength. For he should know the antiquated language of our forbears and study their prophetic codices.”
“It is done.”
List of Characters and Places (From Yohl Ik’nal Book I)
Yohl Ik’nal – Characters
(*historical person)
Yohl Ik’nal* – first female ruler of Lakam Ha (Palenque) 583-604 CE
Kan Bahlam I* – ruler of Lakam Ha 574-583 CE, father of Yohl Ik’nal
Ahkal Mo’ Nab II* – ruler of Lakam Ha 565-570 CE, older brother of Kan Bahlam
Xoc Akal – mother of Yohl Ik’nal
Hun Pakal* - husband of Yohl Ik’nal
Lahun Uc – High Priestess, mentor of Yohl Ik’nal
Wak Batz – High Priest, chief ceremonial authority
Ek Chuuah – distant cousin of Yohl Ik’nal, moves to Usihwitz, plots against Lakam Ha
Sak Nicte – best girl/woman friend to Yohl Ik’nal
Na’kin – girl/woman friend to Yohl Ik’nal
Tulix – girl/woman friend to Yohl Ik’nal
Yax Kab – elder statesman, trusted advisor of Kan Bahlam
Mut Yokte – Nakom/War Chief of Kan Bahlam
Chakab – warrior, strong supporter of Kan Bahlam, later Nakom/War Chief
Zotz Choj* – Sahal/ruler of Popo’ 560-578 CE
Chak B’olon Chaak* – Sahal/ruler of Popo’ 578-595 CE
Joy Bahlam* – Sahal/ruler of Usihwitz circa 586 CE
Cuauc Ahk* – Sahal/ruler of Yokib 510-602 CE
Mat Ek’ – Priestess of Ix Chel
Aj Ne Ohl Mat* - ruler of Lakam Ha 604-612 CE, son of Yohl Ik’nal and Hun Pakal
Sak K’uk* – ruler of Lakam Ha 612-615 CE, daughter of Yohl Ik’nal and Hun Pakal
Nohpat – farmer in village near Lakam Ha
Halil – wife of Nohpat
Tz’un – daughter of Nohpat
Uxul – son of Nohpat, gifted stone carver
Tilkach – trusted court advisor to Yohl Ik’nal
Itzam Ik – trusted court advisor to Yohl Ik’nal
Yaxun Zul – wealthy noble, royal lineage, leader of opposition to Bahlam family
Kan Mo’ Hix* – son of Yaxun Zul, husband of Sak K’uk
Chak’ok – warrior, member of opposition
Kab’ol – warrior, member of opposition, brother of Ek Chuuah
Uc Ayin – noble courtier to Yaxun Zul, stays neutral
Buluc Max – Royal Steward to Yohl Ik’nal
Mas Batz – dwarf of Royal Court of Yohl Ik’nal
Zac Amal – Nephew of Usihwitz ruler
B’ay Kutz – Royal Tutor to children of Yohl Ik’nal
Hix Chapat* – son of Popo’ ruler
Hohmay – daughter of Popo’ ruler
Janaab Pakal I* – son of Sak K’uk and Kan Mo’ Hix, ruler of Lakam Ha 615-683 CE
K’uk Bahlam I* – first ruler of Lakam Ha 432-435 CE (Bahlam lineage founder)
Cities and Polities
Matawiil – mythohistoric origin lands at Six Sky Place
Toktan – ancestral city of K’uk Bahlam, founder of Lakam Ha dynasty
B’aakal – “Kingdom of the Bone,” polity governed by Lakam Ha (Palenque)
Lakam Ha – (Palenque) “Big Waters,” major city of B’aakal polity, May Ku
Kan – refers to residence city of Kan (Snake) Dynasty
Uxte’tun – (Kalakmul) early home city of Kan Dynasty, usurped by Zotz (Bat) Dynasty
Dzibanche – home city of Kan dynasty (circa 400-600 CE)
Ka’an – “Kingdom of the Snake,” polity governed by Kan
Usihwitz – (Bonampak) in B’aakal polity, later enemy of Lakam Ha, allied with Kan
Popo’ – (Tonina) in B’aakal polity, linked to Lakam Ha by royal marriage
Yokib – (Piedras Negras) in B’aakal polity, later allied with Kan
Wa-Mut – (Wa-Bird, Santa Elena) in B’aakal polity
Sak Tz’i – (White Dog) in B’aakal polity, later allied with Kan
Anaay Te – (Anayte) in B’aakal polity
B’aak – (Tortuguero) in B’aakal polity
Pakab – (Pomona, Pia) in Ka’an polity, joined Usihwitz in raid on Lakam Ha
Pa’chan – (Yaxchilan) in Ka’an polity
Uxwitza – (Caracol) allied with Mutul, later with Kan
Mutul – (Tikal) great city of southern region, ally of Lakam Ha, enemy of Kan
Nab’nahotot – (Comalcalco) city on coast of Great North Sea (Gulf of Mexico)
B’uuk – (Las Alacranes) city where Kan installed puppet ruler
Nahokan – (Quirigua) southern city, ally of Oxwitik
Oxwitik – (Copan) southern city allied with Lakam Ha by marriage
Tan-nal – (Seibal) southern city, ally of Maxam
Imix-ha – (Dos Pilas) southern city, ally of Tan-nal and Kan
Maxam/Saal – (Naranjo) southern city, initially offshoot of Mutul, then ally of Kan
Kan Witz-nal – (Ucanal) southern city, ally of Kan and Tan-nal, former Mutul ally
Waka’ – (El Peru) ally of Kan, enemy of Mutul
Peten – lowlands area in north Guatemala, densely populated with Maya sites
Places and Rivers
K’uk Lakam Witz – F
iery Water Mountain, sacred mountain of Lakam Ha
Nab’nah – Great North Sea (Gulf of Mexico)
K’ak-nab – Great East Sea (Gulf of Honduras, Caribbean Sea)
Wukhalal – lagoon of seven colors (Bacalar Lagoon)
K’umaxha – Sacred Monkey River (Usumacinta River), largest river in region,
crosses plains north of Lakam Ha, empties into Gulf of Mexico
Michol – river on plains northwest of Lakam Ha, flows below city plateau
Chakamax – river flowing into K’umaxha, southeast of Lakam Ha
Tulixha – large river (Tulija River) flowing near B’aak
Chih Ha – subsidiary river (Chinal River) flows into Tulixha
B’ub’ulha – western river (Rio Grijalva) flowing into Gulf of Mexico near Nab’nahotot
Pokolha – southern river (Rio Motagua) by Nahokan, near Oxwitik
Small rivers flowing across Lakam Ha ridges
Kisiin – Diablo River
Bisik – Picota River
Tun Pitz – Piedras Bolas
Ixha – Motiepa River
Otolum – Otolum River
Sutzha – Murcielagos River
Balunte – Balunte River
Ach’ – Ach’ River
Maya Deities
Hunab K’u (Hun Ahb K’u) – Supreme Being, source of all, giver of movement and measure
Muwaan Mat (Duck Hawk, Cormorant) – Primordial Mother Goddess, mother of B’aakal Triad
Hun Ahau (One Lord) – First born of Triad, Celestial Realm
Mah Kinah Ahau (Underworld Sun Lord) – Second born of Triad, Underworld Realm, Jaguar Sun, Underworld Sun-Moon, Waterlily Jaguar
Unen K’awill (Infant Powerful One) – Third born of Triad, Earthly Realm, patron of
royal bloodlines, lightning in forehead, snake-footed, called Manikin Scepter
Ahauob (Lords) of the First Sky:
B’olon Chan Yoch’ok’in (Sky That Enters the Sun) – 9 Sky Place
Waklahun Ch’ok’in (Emergent Young Sun) – 16 Sky Place
B’olon Tz’ak Ahau (Conjuring Lord) – 9 Sky Place
Ix Chel – Earth Mother Goddess, healer, midwife, weaver of life, fertility and abundance,
commands snake energies, waters and fluids, Lady Rainbow
Hun Hunahpu – Maize God, First Father, resurrected by Hero Twins, ancestor of Mayas
Yum K’ax – Young Maize God, foliated god of growing corn (overlaps Hun Hunahpu)
Wuqub’ Kaquix – Seven Macaw, false deity of polestar, defeated by Hero Twins
Hun Ahau – (Hunahpu), first Hero Twin
Yax Bahlam – (Xbalanque), second Hero Twin
Wakah Chan Te – Jeweled Sky Tree, connects the three dimensions (roots-Underworld,
trunk-Middleworld, branches-Upperworld)
Xibalba – Underworld, realm of the Lords of Death
Xmucane – Grandmother, Heart of Earth, Goddess of Transformation
Bacabs – Lords of the Four Directions, Hold up the Sky
Titles
Ahau – Lord
Ixik – Lady
Ix – honorable way to address women
Ah – honorable way to address men
K’uhul Ahau – Divine/Holy Lord
K’uhul Ixik - Divine/Holy Lady
Ah K’in – Solar Priest
Ix K’in – Solar Priestess
Nakom – War Chief
Sahal – ruler of subsidiary city
Ah Kuch Kab – head of village (Kuchte’el)
Chilam – spokesperson, prophet
Batab – town governor, local leader from noble lineage
Kalomte – K’uhul Ahau ruling several cities, used often at Mutul and Oxwitik
May Ku – seat of the may cycle (260 tuns, 256 solar years), dominant city of region
Yahau – His Lord (high subordinate noble)
Yahau K’ak – His Lord of Fire (high ceremonial-military noble)
Ba-ch’ok – heir designate
Juntan – precious one, signifies relationship between mother and child as well as between
deities and ahau, also translated “beloved of”
Dynasty of Lakam Ha (Palenque)
Codes: b. born a. acceded d. died r. ruled
All dates are CE
Long Count Maya Calendar
Although considered a vigesimal (20 base) system, the Maya used modifications in 2 places for calendric and numerological reasons. In Classic times the counts went from 0 to 19 in all but the 2nd position, in which they went from 0 to 17. Postclassic adaptations changed the counts to begin with 1, making them 1 to 20 and 1 to 18.
After 19 Kin occur, the Uinal count goes up by 1 on the next day; after 17 Uinal the Tun count goes up by 1 on the next day, after 19 Tun the Katun count goes up by 1 the next day, and after 19 Katun the Baktun count goes up by 1 the next day.
Thus, we see this progression in the Long Count:
11.19.19.17.19 + 1 kin (day) = 12.0.0.0.0
Increasingly larger units of time beyond the Baktun are: Piktun, Kalabtun, Kinchiltun, and Alautun. These were usually noted by placing 13 in the counts larger than Baktun, indicating 13 to a multiple of the 20th power:
13.13.13.13.13.0.0.0.0
When a 13 Baktun is reached, this signifies the end of a Great Cycle of 1,872,000 kins (days) or 5200 tuns (5125.2567 solar years). But this does not signify the end of the Maya calendar. Larger baktun units occur on stela with numbers above 13, indicating that this count went up to 19 before converting into the next higher unit in the 6th position. When the 5th position (Baktun) reaches 19, on the following day the 6th position (Pictun) becomes 1 and the 5th position becomes 0. This results in a Long Count such as that projected by glyphs at Palenque to a Gregorian date of 4772 AD (GMT correlation), written as 1.0.0.0.0.0.
About Author
Leonide (Lennie) Martin: Retired California State University professor, former Family Nurse Practitioner, currently author and Maya researcher. My books bring ancient Maya culture and civilization to life in stories about both real historical Mayans and fictional characters. I’ve studied Maya archeology, anthropology and history from the scientific and indigenous viewpoints. Living for five years in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, I apprenticed with Maya elder Hunbatz Men, becoming a Solar Initiate and Maya Fire Woman in the Itza Maya tradition. I also studied with indigenous teachers in Guatemala and the U.S. The ancient Mayas created the most highly advanced civilization in the Western hemisphere, and my work is dedicated to their wisdom, spirituality, scientific and cultural accomplishments through compelling historical novels. For more information about my writing and the Mayas, visit:
Website: www.mistsofpalenque.com
Blog: http://leonidemartinblog.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leonide.martin
Author Notes
Wise people say “all history is interpretation.” When writing historical fiction, this becomes even truer. There are contending views of nearly every historical event, and authors must select one viewpoint and forge ahead. Ancient Mayan history is fragmented, because the early Spaniards destroyed innumerable texts. With recent progress in epigraphy experts are able to read most of the complex hieroglyphs left on walls and monuments in many Maya cities. However, new subtleties are emerging in the interpretation of inscriptions and experts’ ability to understand the complex symbolism of this sophisticated language.
Readers familiar with Maya research will see that I have taken a particular interpretation of dynastic succession at Palenque, based on work of Peter Mathews and Gerardo Aldana. Different successions were proposed by David Stuart, Linda Schele and David Friedel, Simon Martin and Nicolai Grube. For my focus on the women rulers, succession makes more sense by placing Yohl Ik’nal as the daughter of Kan Bahlam I, Hun Pakal as her husband and not her son, Aj Ne Ohl Mat as her brother and not her son, and Sak K’uk as her daughter who becomes the mother of K’inich Janaab Pakal the Great.
In the ruler li
st of the Palenque dynasty, experts seem to agree that Yohl Ik’nal ruled in her own right for 22 years, the first woman ruler of Lakam Ha. Some contend that Hun Pakal was also a ruler, and designate him Pakal I. In my view he was a royal consort, not ruler, and did not have the name Janaab. I gave him the name “Hun” which means “one” in Mayan, to distinguish him from K’inich Janaab Pakal (designated by some as Pakal II, but by others Pakal I). The next three rulers are controversial. Aj Ne Ohl Mat is left out of some ruler lists. In older lists, Sak K’uk follows Aj Ne Ohl Mat, but newer interpretations contend she was not a ruler. The successor is given the name glyph Muwaan Mat. Some think Sak K’uk and Muwaan Mat referred to the same individual, others that Muwaan Mat was actually a man. From this maelstrom of disagreement I selected one stream to follow, the story told in this novel of their extraordinary co-regency.
The “axing” events in which Lakam Ha was “chopped down” in 599 CE, 603 CE and 611 CE also required making interpretations of history. Yohl Ik’nal was ruler during the first and second attacks, Aj Ne Ohl Mat during the third. My interpretation portrays her as a visionary who rebuked the first attack from Usihwitz (fueled by Kan) so her city suffered minor damage. The second attack is obscure but probably involved the same enemies. Many years later, Janaab Pakal inscribed these events on the steps of House C in the Palace, providing rationale for his subsequent aggressions against Kan. I chose to treat the 603 CE event as a ritual ballgame conflict in which Lakam Ha was the loser. The 611 CE attack was devastating, for “god was lost; ahau (Lord) was lost.”
Names of ancient Maya cities posed challenges. Spanish explorers or international archeologists assigned most of the commonly used names. Many original city names have been deciphered, however, and I use these whenever they exist. Some cities have conflicting names, so I chose the one that made sense to me. The rivers were even more problematic. Many river names are my own creation, using Mayan words that best describe their characteristics. In the front material, I provide a list of contemporary names for cities and rivers along with the Mayan names used in the story.
The Visionary Mayan Queen: Yohl Ik'Nal of Palenque Page 31