Lintel 24 - Bloodletting

One of three lintels from Structure 23 at Yaxchilan, this scene depicts Lord Shield Jaguar and his principal wife Lady Xoc engaged in a bloodletting rite that took place on 9.13.17.15.12 5 eb 15 mac in the Maya calendar, or 28 October AD 709. The king stands on the left brandishing a flaming torch to illuminate the drama that is about to unfold. Kneeling in front of him wearing an exquisitely woven huipil, Lady Xoc pulls a thorn-lined rope through her tongue. The rope falls onto a women basket holding blood-soaked strips of paper cloth.