Lady Eveningstar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lady Eveningstar(Lady Ikʼ Skull) |
|
|---|---|
| Ajaw | |
Lady Eveningstar's portrait on Stela 35
|
|
| Queen of Yaxchilán | |
| Reign | 742-751 (as possible regent for her son) |
| Born | 1 September 704 Calakmul |
| Died | 751 (aged 46–47) Yaxchilán |
| Burial | Yaxchilán |
| Spouse | Itzamnaaj Bahlam III, King of Yaxchilán |
| Issue | Yaxun Bahlam IV, King of Yaxchilán |
| Father | Yuknoom Tookʼ Kʼawiil, King of Calakmul (possibly) |
| Mother | Lady of Stela 54 of Calakmul (possibly) |
| Religion | Maya religion |
Lady Eveningstar or Lady Ikʼ Skull (born 704, died 751) was an important Maya queen. She was the wife of Itzamnaaj Bahlam II, a powerful king of Yaxchilan. Their son, Yaxun Bʼalam IV, later became king after his father. Lady Eveningstar might have even ruled Yaxchilan herself for a short time as a regent. A regent is someone who rules a country when the king or queen is too young or unable to rule.
Contents
Lady Eveningstar: A Maya Queen
Lady Eveningstar came to Yaxchilan from a city called Calakmul. She was one of the wives of King Itzamnaaj Bʼalam II, also known as Shield Jaguar the Great. While she was not his main wife, she played a very important role in Yaxchilan's history.
Her Life and Family
King Itzamnaaj Bʼalam II had three known wives. His main wife was Lady Xoc. The other two were Lady Sak Bʼiyaan and Lady Ikʼ Skull (Lady Eveningstar). Usually, the next king would be the son of the main wife, Lady Xoc. However, something different happened in Yaxchilan.
Why Her Son Became King
After King Itzamnaaj Bʼalam II passed away, his son with Lady Eveningstar, Yaxun Bʼalam IV, became the next king. This was unusual because it took almost ten years after the king's death for his son to take the throne. Also, Yaxun Bʼalam IV was the son of a secondary wife, not the main queen.
Historians have thought a lot about why this happened. One idea is that the son of Lady Xoc, who would normally have become king, might have been captured. This could have happened during a conflict with another city called Dos Pilas around the year 745.
During this time, when there was no clear ruler, it's called an "interregnum." Some records from another Maya city, Piedras Negras, mention a new king in Yaxchilan named Yopaat Bahlam II. He might have ruled for part of this period. However, there isn't much proof of this from Yaxchilan itself.
Another idea is that Lady Ikʼ Skull, Lady Eveningstar, ruled as a regent during this time. This means she might have governed Yaxchilan until her son, Yaxun Bʼalam IV, was old enough or able to take the throne. It is believed that her son became king only after her death.
A Special Monument
One important stone monument, called Stela 35, shows a picture of Lady Ikʼ Skull. These stelae were like giant stone carvings that told stories about Maya rulers and important events.
