Haʼ Kʼin Xook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Haʼ Kʼin Xook |
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| Ajaw | |
Haʼ Kʼin Xook's portrait on Stela 13
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| King of Piedras Negras | |
| Reign | 14 February 767 - 24 March 780 |
| Predecessor | Yoʼnal Ahk III |
| Successor | Kʼinich Yat Ahk II |
| Born | Piedras Negras |
| Died | 24 March 780 or after Piedras Negras |
| Father | Itzam Kʼan Ahk II |
| Religion | Maya religion |
| Signature |  |
Haʼ Kʼin Xook (pronounced haʔ kʼin shok), also known as Ruler 6, was an ajaw (a Maya king or ruler) of Piedras Negras. This was an important ancient Maya city in what is now Guatemala. He ruled during the Late Classic Period, from 767 to 780 AD.
Haʼ Kʼin Xook was the son of King Itzam Kʼan Ahk II. He became king after his brother, Yoʼnal Ahk III, passed away. His time as king ended either because he died or because he chose to step down. Experts are still discussing which happened. Haʼ Kʼin Xook left behind several stone monuments, called stelae, at Piedras Negras. A stone fragment from El Porvenir also bears his name.
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Who Was Haʼ Kʼin Xook?
Becoming King of Piedras Negras
Haʼ Kʼin Xook, also called Ruler 6, was likely the son of King Itzam Kʼan Ahk II. This idea comes from the translation of a stone monument called Stela 23. Experts like Simon Martin and Nikolai Grube say that Haʼ Kʼin Xook's name means "Water Sun Shark".
He became king on February 14, 767 AD. This happened after his brother, Yoʼnal Ahk III, died. An early Maya expert, Tatiana Proskouriakoff, first missed Haʼ Kʼin Xook's rule. She thought Ruler 6 was a sajal (a lesser Maya leader) from another city, La Mar.
Not much is known about Haʼ Kʼin Xook or his brother Yoʼnal Ahk III. Some historians call their reigns "shadowy" because few details are available. James L. Fitzsimmons suggests that Haʼ Kʼin Xook was not a very strong leader. Like his brother, he set up only a few monuments. He also did not expand Piedras Negras's power beyond its existing areas.
The stone monuments he did create show that his reign was quite peaceful. The only major event recorded was the burial of a local sajal at San Ignacio, Belize. Zachary Nathan Nelson notes that Haʼ Kʼin Xook's rule was free from war. None of his remaining stelae show images of captives. Records also do not mention any fighting in the region during his time.
The End of His Rule
In the night (of March 24, 780 9.17.9.5.11) Haʼ Kʼin Xok, Ruler 6, Lord of Piedras Negras abandoned the Lordship of Paw Stone place.
Haʼ Kʼin Xook's rule ended on March 24, 780 AD. However, the reason for this ending is still debated. A stone seat called Throne 1 mentions that Haʼ Kʼin Xook "abandoned/transferred rulership." The American Mayanist Stephen D. Houston believes this means he stepped down. He might have done this so his brother, Kʼinich Yat Ahk II, could become king. Another expert, David Stuart, agrees the words suggest an active choice by the ruler.
However, the same phrase is used on another monument at Quiriguá, Guatemala. That monument describes the death of King Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan Yopaat in 785 AD. This suggests that Haʼ Kʼin Xook might have died in 780 AD instead of stepping down. Also, Throne 1 says that Kʼinich Yat Ahk II later "remembered" Haʼ Kʼin Xook. The new king might have even cried when thinking of Haʼ Kʼin Xook.
Regardless of how his rule ended, Kʼinich Yat Ahk II became king on May 31, 781 AD. This was almost a year after Haʼ Kʼin Xook's reign officially finished. There is no sign that anyone else ruled Piedras Negras during this gap.
What Did Haʼ Kʼin Xook Leave Behind?
Important Stone Monuments (Stelae)
Haʼ Kʼin Xook set up several stelae (tall, carved stone slabs). These include Stelae 13, 18, and 23. Stela 23 was the first one, put up in 767 AD. It marked his becoming king. This stela describes a "passing of the torch" ceremony for his father, Itzam Kʼan Ahk II. Its translation says, "Ruler 6 [Haʼ Kʼin Xook], child of Ruler 4 [Itzam Kʼan Ahk II] … acceded to the rulership." This seems to confirm he was Itzam Kʼan Ahk II's son. This stela originally had carvings on all four sides. Over time, it fell over and broke. Today, mostly its base and parts of a panel remain.
Stela 13 was Haʼ Kʼin Xook's second monument, put up in 771 AD. It has the only surviving carving of the king. It shows him performing a ceremony where he disperses incense. This is similar to images on other Piedras Negras stelae. The stela is about 2.39 meters (7.8 feet) tall. It has unique features while still keeping some older styles.
The king's last monument, Stela 18, was put up in 775 AD. Not much of it remains today. It is very worn down. Archaeologist Sylvanus Morley believed it showed a date from the Maya calendar that falls within Haʼ Kʼin Xook's reign.
Stelae 13 and 18 were found in 1901 near Pyramid O-13. Stela 13 was probably placed on a terrace near the pyramid's main stairs. Stela 18 lies in a row on the plaza in front of those stairs. Pyramid O-13 was likely the burial place for Itzam Kʼan Ahk II. It was seen as an important family shrine by Haʼ Kʼin Xook, Yoʼnal Ahk III, and Kʼinich Yat Ahk II. Stela 23 was placed at the very base of Pyramid O-12.
Other Discoveries
As mentioned, Throne 1 tells us about Haʼ Kʼin Xook's rule ending. This throne was not built by Haʼ Kʼin Xook himself. His successor, Kʼinich Yat Ahk II, created it. After Piedras Negras fell, the throne was broken, probably by enemies. However, it has since been put back together. Besides the remains found at the city, a piece of stone called the "El Porvenir Fragment" was found at El Porvenir. This fragment also has Haʼ Kʼin Xook's name on it.
