Editing Palenque (section)

===Temples of the Cross group===
[[File:Palenque Kreuztempel Sonne.jpg|thumb|200px|Temple of the Cross]]
{{main|Temple of the Cross Complex}}

The '''Temple of the Cross''', '''Temple of the Sun''', and '''Temple of the Foliated Cross''' are a set of graceful temples atop [[step pyramid]]s, each with an elaborately carved relief in the inner chamber depicting two figures presenting ritual objects and effigies to a central icon. Earlier interpretations had argued that the smaller figure was that of Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal while the larger figure was Kʼinich Kan Bʼahlam. However, it is now known based on a better understanding of the iconography and epigraphy that the central tablet depicts two images of Kan Bʼahlam. The smaller figure shows Kʼinich Kan Bʼahlam during a rite of passage ritual at the age of six (9.10.8.9.3 9 Akbal 6 Xul) while the larger is of his accession to kingship at the age of 48.<ref>Bassie 1991</ref> These temples were named by early explorers; the cross-like images in two of the reliefs actually depict the tree of creation at the center of the world in [[Maya mythology]].