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Kʼinich Yax Kʼukʼ Moʼ facts for kids

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Kʼinich Yax Kʼukʼ Moʼ
Ajaw
Yax Kuk Mo.jpg
Incense burner found at the site of Copan and believed to depict Kʼinich Yax Kʼukʼ Mo.
King of Copán
Reign 9 February 427 – 437
Successor Kʼinich Popol Hol
Born Tikal
Died 437
Copán
Issue Kʼinich Popol Hol
Religion Maya religion

Kʼinich Yax Kʼukʼ Moʼ (Mayan pronunciation: [jaʃ kʼukʼ moʔ] "Great Sun, Quetzal Macaw the First", ruled 426 – c. 437) is named in Maya inscriptions as the founder and first ruler, kʼul ajaw (also rendered kʼul ahau and kʼul ahaw - meaning holy lord), of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization polity centered at Copán, a major Maya site located in the southeastern Maya lowlands region in present-day Honduras. The motifs associated with his depiction on Copán monuments have a distinct resemblance to imagery associated with the height of the Classic-era center of Teotihuacan in the distant northern central Mexican region, and have been interpreted as intending to suggest his origins and association with that prestigious civilization. One of the most commonly cited motifs for this interpretation is the "goggle-eyed" headdress with which Yax Kʼukʼ Moʼ is commonly depicted; this is seemingly an allusion to the northern central Mexican rain deity known as Tlaloc by later peoples, such as the Aztecs. However, modern strontium isotope analysis of the human remains recovered from the tomb attributed to him indicate that Kʼinich Yax Kʼukʼ Moʼ spent his formative years much closer to Copán, at Tikal, and had not himself lived at Teotihuacan.

Hunal Tomb

His remains were found in the Hunal tomb inside of Temple 16, in the Copán acropolis; he was buried with jade and shell jewelry, including his 'goggle-eyed' headdress.

Altar Q

His image occupies the first position in the carving on Altar Q, showing the dynasty's king list. His image is also found in significant positions in other monuments of later rulers.

Influence over surrounding area

Kʼinich Yax Kʼukʼ Moʼ installed Tok Casper upon the throne of Quirigua.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Kinich Yax Kuk Moo para niños

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