description Yaxchilan Lintel 25 Overview
Yaxchilan Lintel 25 is a carved stone inscription dating to the 8th century CE. It depicts Lady Xoc, a ruler of the Maya city-state of Yaxchilan, performing a ritual involving a vision serpent figure. The intricate hieroglyphic text provides valuable insight into Mayan religious beliefs and royal iconography. Archaeologists and scholars specializing in Classic Maya civilization utilize this monument to study dynastic succession, religious practices, and artistic traditions.
insights Ranking position
Yaxchilan Lintel 25 ranks #30 of 101 in the Inscription ranking, behind Res Gestae Divi Augusti, ahead of Lachish Letters (Ostraca).
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Where is Yaxchilan Lintel 25 currently located?
The original lintel was removed from the Maya site of Yaxchilan in the 19th century to protect it from looters and the elements. It is currently housed in the British Museum in London as part of its extensive Mesoamerican collection.
Who is depicted performing the ritual on Yaxchilan Lintel 25?
The intricately carved stone depicts Lady Xoc, the principal wife of King Shield Jaguar II, conducting a bloodletting ritual. She pulls a thorn-lined rope through her tongue to induce a vision quest in honor of the king's ascension.
What is the significance of the vision serpent on Lintel 25?
The vision serpent is depicted rising from a bowl containing the blood offered by Lady Xoc. From the serpent's mouth emerges the head of a past ancestor or deity, symbolizing the direct communication between the Maya royals and the underworld.
When was Yaxchilan Lintel 25 created?
This remarkable Classic Period Maya monument was dedicated on October 28, 709 CE. It was commissioned by the ruler Shield Jaguar II to commemorate the anniversary of his rule.
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