This biography, written by Johanna Strong, is shared with permission from Team Queens, an educational history blog run by a collective of historical scholars. All rights reserved; this material may not be republished without the author’s consent.
Born: Unknown, Mexico
Died: 12 September 640
Country most active: Mexico
Also known as: Zac Kuk, Muwaan Mat, Lady Sak Kʼukʼ, Lady Beastie
Sak Kuk – also spelled Zac Kuk and who name means ‘white quetzal’ – ruled Palenque from 612-615 and during these years was accepted as ruler independently in her own right. The emblem glyphs before her name only occasionally had the feminine ‘na’ prefix – which means ‘female’ or ‘mother’ – but more often had the traditionally male prefix, signifying her status as independent ruler.
She was the daughter (though some argue the granddaughter) of Yohl Ik’nal. She was married to Kan-Bahlum-Mo’ and together they had K’inich Janaab Pakal I and possibly Ajen Yohl Mat. Uniquely, her sons’ rights to the throne came through her line and not her husband’s, evidenced by the fact that he was never made king.
In 615, she became co-ruler with her son K’inich Janaab Pakal until her death in 640, but some historians argue she was a regent for him rather than a co-ruler. Sak Kuk’s unique position as female ruler was remembered by K’inich Janaab Pakal after her death when he commemorated her as Lady Beastie, which was the name of the first mother-goddess and mother of all the gods. Not only did this legitimise his own matrilineal claim to the throne, but it elevated Sak Kuk to divine status, which was highly unusual for the time.
Following the example of her predecessor Yohl Ik’nal, Sak Kuk is another example of strong female authority in Palenque.
Recommended Reading
Amanda Hardman, “Classic Maya Women Rulers in Monumental Art”, TOTEM 14 (2005-2006): 13-23
Erika A. Hewitt, “What’s in a Name: Gender, Power, and Classic Maya Women Rulers”, Ancient Mesoamerica 10.2 (1999): 251-262
Guida M. Jackson, Women Rulers Throughout the Ages: An Illustrated Guide (Santa Barbara, USA: ABC-Clio, 1999)
Karen Bassie-Sweet, “Illustrated Genealogy: The Temple of the Inscriptions Sarcophagus at Palenque” (2019). https://www.academia.edu/40679817/Illustrated_Genealogy_The_Temple_of_the_Inscriptions_Sarcophagus_at_Palenque.
The following bio was written by Emma Rosen, author of On This Day She Made History: 366 Days With Women Who Shaped the World and This Day In Human Ingenuity & Discovery: 366 Days of Scientific Milestones with Women in the Spotlight, and has been republished with permission.
On this day in 640 CE, Sak Kʼukʼ died. She was also known as Muwaan Mat, Lady Sak Kʼukʼ, and Lady Beastie (the name of the first mother-goddess and mother of all the gods given to her by her son, K’inich Janaab Pakal, a move that not only legitimized his own matrilineal claim to the throne, but it elevated Sak Kuk to divine status). She was the queen of the ancient Maya city-state of Palenque. Sak Kʼukʼ became queen in October 612 and ruled until 615.
Sak Kʼukʼ was the daughter of Janahb Pakal. Her mother was either Yohl Ikʼnal or someone unknown. She became queen a few months after her father’s death in October 612. Later, her son Kʼinich Janaab Pakal I took over as ruler. She remained influential in Palenque during her son’s early reign. She is mentioned on Pakal’s sarcophagus lid for her role in sealing the Kʼatun on 25 January 633. She was likely the mother of Ajen Yohl Mat.