Lady Xoc

A sketch I did of Lady Xoc, the Maya Queen consort of Shield Jaguar of the city of Yaxchilan. My main reference was a carving (Lintel 24) of her husband and her in which he watches as she pulls a barbed rope through her tongue. She did this as a sacrificial ritual in order to worship the gods. Definitely not a pleasant notion, but I think it sort of symbolizes the deep respect these people had for life (thus life-giving blood) and their unusual ways of portraying beauty - such as through the various piercings, tattoos, etc. I don't know...I just am fascinated by these ancient people and especially this amazing woman. Hope I did her justice.