At a Glance
- Reign
- AD 752–768.
- Father
- Shield Jaguar; mother Lady Sak Bʼiyaan.
- Rival
- A half-brother backed by Piedras Negras — defeated in ritual ballgame politics.
- Works
- Temple 33 stair (dynastic history), Temple 11, ballcourt, 20+ lintels.
I. Overview
When Shield Jaguar died in 742, Bird Jaguar — son of the junior wife — waited 10 years while rivals ruled. Crowned 752, he spent 16 years proving he was the true heir: carving his fatherʼs deeds on Temple 44, his own accession on Temple 33ʼs steps, and his sonʼs future on every lintel. His Hieroglyphic Stair shows ancestors playing ball with gods to bless his line (WHE, Yaxchilan).
II. Timeline
The Struggle
Ten silent years with no kingʼs monuments. Bird Jaguar gathered allies, married Lady Mut Bʼalam of Palenque, and won the nobles. Crowned 3 May 752 with ballgame rites — every lintel afterwards repeats the date to insist it was destiny.
Temple 33
Built Temple 33 on the acropolis with 13-step hieroglyphic stair telling his dynasty from 320 to 756. Raised Lintel 16 showing an ancestor handing him the throne. Died 768; son Itzamnaaj Bʼalam III carried on the carving.
III. Gallery
IV. Watch
V. Sources
Sources
- WHE — Yaxchilan.
https://www.worldhistory.org/Yaxchilan/ - Mesoweb.
https://www.mesoweb.com/
He waited ten years; then carved his right in stone forever.— after Temple 33 stair