User:Ellie J Rules

King K'inich Janaab' Pakal, the Mayan king of Palenque died in 683 C.E. He became king in 615 C.E. and ruled until death. The lid of K'inich Janaab' Pakal's sarcophagus is carved out of a single piece of stone and depicts the king suspended over the jaws of the underworld. The jaws of death are represented by a two-headed serpent named Xibalba. Another idea to the meaning of the tomb craving is that he is climbing the world tree and into paradise. He is escaping the jaws of death to climb up the cruciform world tree. Other visible symbols include signs around the side are supposed to represent the sun, moon, and various constellations. All engravings on the tomb gives a glimpse on the Mayan beliefs of death and afterlife, which is fitting because this is a tomb.