Eight Deer Jaguar Claw facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lord 8 Deer 'Jaguar Claw' |
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Lord 8 Deer 'Jaguar Claw' (right) meeting with Toltec ruler Lord 4 Jaguar, in a depiction from the Codex Zouche-Nuttall. His name glyph (a deer head and eight red dots) is above his head.
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| King of Tututepec (Yucu Dzaa) |
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| Reign | 1084–1115 |
| Successor | Lord 4 Wind 'Fire Serpent' |
| King of Tilantongo (Nuu Tnoo) |
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| Reign | 1097–1115 |
| Successor | Lord 4 Wind 'Fire Serpent' |
| Born | 1063 Tilantongo |
| Died | 1115 Tilantongo |
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| Father | Lord 5 Alligator 'Sun Rain', High Priest of Tilantongo |
| Mother | Lady 11 Water 'Bird Jewel' |
| Religion | Mixtec religion |
| Other names | Eight Deer, Eight Deer Ocelot Claw |
| Occupation | Mixtec ruler |
Eight Deer Jaguar Claw (Mixtec: Iya Nacuaa Teyusi Ñaña), often called 8 Deer, was a very strong Mixtec ruler. He lived in the 11th century in a place called Oaxaca, which is in modern-day Mexico. We know about him from old deerskin books called Mixtec manuscripts. The most famous one is the Codex Zouche-Nuttall. His name, "Eight Deer," comes from the day he was born in the ancient Mesoamerican calendar. This calendar used 13 numbers and 20 different signs, like animals or plants.
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Who Was Lord 8 Deer?
Lord 8 Deer was born in 1063 in Tilantongo. His father was Lord 5 Crocodile, a high priest. His mother was Lady 9 Eagle. He had two brothers, Lord 12 Earthquake and Lord 9 Flower. They were loyal fighters who helped him in wars.
He also had a half-sister named Lady 6 Lizard. She later married Lord 11 Wind, who was the king of a city called "Red and White Bundle". The rulers of this city had a claim to the throne of Tilantongo. This made them big rivals to 8 Deer's power.
Lord 8 Deer's Rule and Conquests
Lord 8 Deer was known for expanding his kingdom through military power. The Codex Zouche-Nuttall says he conquered 94 cities during his time as ruler. He is almost always shown wearing a jaguar helmet.
He also supported a powerful Toltec ruler from Cholula, Lord 4 Jaguar. Lord 4 Jaguar was trying to expand his own lands. Because of this alliance, Lord 8 Deer received a special turquoise nose ornament. This ornament was a symbol of royal power among the Toltec people.
The ancient books also tell us about his many marriages. These marriages were likely a smart way to gain more power. By marrying into different Mixtec royal families, he could connect his kingdom with theirs. For example, he married Lady 13 Serpent. She was the daughter of his own half-sister, Lady 6 Lizard.
The End of His Reign
In 1101, Lord 8 Deer finally conquered the city of "Red and White Bundle." He defeated his rival, Lord 11 Wind, who was his wife's father and his half-sister's husband. He also captured Lord 11 Wind's brothers. However, he spared the youngest brother, Lord 4 Wind.
Years later, in 1115, Lord 4 Wind led an alliance of different Mixtec kingdoms. They fought against Lord 8 Deer. Lord 8 Deer was captured and sacrificed by Lord 4 Wind. This meant he was defeated by his own nephew and brother-in-law.
Lord 8 Deer's Legacy
Lord 8 Deer was the only Mixtec king to unite kingdoms from all three main Mixtec areas. These areas were Tilantongo in the Mixteca Alta, Teozacualco in the Mixteca Baja, and Tututepec in the coastal Mixteca.
He is remembered as a great ruler. His life story, as told in the ancient picture books, has become almost legendary among the Mixtec people. It's still hard to fully understand all the details from these old books. But experts believe his story is a sad one. It tells of a man who achieved great things but was eventually defeated by his own desire for power. The story of 8 Deer shared here is based on the interpretations of Mixtec expert John Pohl.
See also
In Spanish: Ocho-Venado para niños
