RU  UK  EN
Статьи  >  Imagine  >  Sacred animals of the Incas

Sacred animals of the Incas

Автор: 19.11.2021 | traditions, history, Peru
Our "Peruvian cycle" is replenished with the story of the most revered animals in Peru. Being the link between the present and the past, they play an important role in the life of this nation. Wise ancestors of the modern Peruvians, the ancient Incas, were living in harmony with all life that surrounded them.

In their opinion, all living creatures, had their energy and consciousness which cannot be measured or estimated by any means, but it is necessary to accept and respect them as a part of the whole process of life on earth. Traveling through this very religious country, you are sure to hear a lot of legends and myths, including stories told by local guides about three worlds, three levels of consciousness which are represented by an ancient Andean (Inca) cross, a sign called Chakana. It symbolizes three universes: underground world of the dead ancestors; the earthly world of the present, here and now; the heavenly abode of the gods. Image of Chakana is found everywhere: from the walls of religious buildings, to usual walls brimming with graffiti and aerosol arts.Photo uainfo.org

Each of three levels of the cross is represented by a sacred animal. The "inverted" lower level symbolises the kingdom of death, as well as the depths of the earth, the place where everything originates: rivers, trees, mountains and caves. The Incas believed that the death is not an end but rather the beginning of a new cycle. The ancestors deemed that time is non-linear, but everything has its cycle that ends and begins again.

Read also: Titicaca lake and its islands: the second chakra of the Earth

The first level is represented by a snake. In many cultures it is considered as a sacred animal, the embodiment of strength and power, protection against evil spirits. The ancient Incas believed that, the same as a snake changes its skin, when dying, a person is just exchanging his body to a new one, passing the process of reincarnation. The same as a snake changes its skin and thus every year becomes more mature and wise, we shall cognize our dark side and find answers to the most difficult questions, and come back being wiser, having changed our thinking and karma.Culbra-ANdina-1.jpgPhoto inkaterra.com

The second level is the present life on our planet. This is the habitat of alive people, in which everything is interconnected: humans, animals and nature. Everything has its own energy and people should take care to be in harmony with nature and with other living beings. The ancients people believed that a person living in love and respect, is only a temporary passer-by on this earth, he comes and goes back home. This level is represented by a puma, the master of the Amazon and the snow-capped mountain peaks. This animal symbolizes courage and strength. Puma has a thick skin and is not afraid of cold weather, it allows an animal to live in its natural environment remaining nearly invisible. It has developed sight and hearing, keen sense of smell, it is well-versed in the wild, thanks to the long tail a puma keeps the balance easily, moves smoothly and almost silently. Thanks to these characteristics puma became revered among the Incas. It was perceived as a mythical creature, linking the underworld and space, the habitat of the gods. It was believed that a resident of the Andes has to reach the state when he is equal to puma, i.e. is able to adapt to different environmental conditions, to become invisible to wild animals, to be strong, courageous and determined to go to a new cycle, a new level.dsc001951.jpg
Photo papaminx.files.wordpress.com

The third level is a realm inhabited by the deities: supreme god Viracocha, the sun god Inti, Mama Killa - moon goddess, as well as thunder, lightning, rainbow, stars, constellations, spirits. The most esteemed, after the supreme god Viracocha, was the sun god Inti. He was worshiped as a loving father giving life, protection, life-impulse and life-giving fire. This stage of Chakana is represented by a huge condor bird, which has a three-meter wingspan, lives very high up on the rocks in the Andes and contemplates everything from the high above.

Read also: Lima is the capital of...

Condor symbolizes an air, and its wings and feathers - climbing to freedom. It carries the spirit of a dead person to heaven, the upper world, and is a messenger of the gods. To achieve the status of a condor, a person must change himself, to give up his old mentality, change himself like a serpent, to achieve wisdom and stability of puma, then the way home in the heavens will be opened for him.5E7QOJFEAMI6TJ3H26VYJLXT5E (1).jpgPhoto washingtonpost.com

Puma, snake and condor are enveloped in mysticism, there are a lot of legends and fairy tales about them. There is a hypothesis that even the legendary and sacred to the Incas city of Cusco (in the Quechua language it means "navel of the earth" or "centre of the world"), which once was the capital of the vast state, encompassing the territory of modern Bolivia, part of Argentina, northern part of Chile, northern Peru and Ecuador, was built by the ancient architects in shape of a puma. If you print out the map of Cusco, it can be clearly seen that its outlines resemble an animal's body, and the fortress Saksaywaman stands for head. Moreover, at each point of a puma’s chakras (energy centres) has a sanctuary...

Cover photo uainfo.org

Вам это будет интересно:
Mould your hobby. History of pottery
In a local history museum in every country you visit, you will certainly notice similar archaeological finds - fragments of clay products. Pottery, born millennia ago, but “living” even today, can rightfully be considered one of the most tenacious one. The uniqueness of clay was noticed by our distant ancestors who lived in caves ...
Antique guide: European flea markets
Despite a wide-spread belief, European flea markets have little in common with both second-hand and ordinary trade rows on traditional merchandise markets. These places per se are unique due to a one-of-a-kind reflection of the country’s spirit and what at first glance seems like plain goods may tell you about its past and help feel a spirit of an era.
Tasty Japan: Give the country a try
Ice cream with a taste of horse meat, pickled insects, fish with deadly venom, etc – Japanese cuisine has things to surprise, amaze and shock you with. And truth be told, enumeration of these dishes doesn’t help my appetite at all. But we are not after exotic stuff. True culinary tourism is an attempt to comprehend mindset and feel national distinctive color through traditional cuisine – not try most exotic dishes.
Amazons from tribe mosuo​: Conservation of feminism in the shadow of Himalayas
Composers of antiutopias predict hundreds of sorrows to the people of the future who are from times to times forbidden to celebrate weddings, however, it seems, everything is not so terrible. In Chinese province Yun Nan near the foot of Himalayas the matriarch tribe mosuo resides that is not familiar with the concept of marriage at all.
Peru. Places of power
Israel, India, Mecca - these geographic points are very important for the followers of various religions and not for them only: while on pilgrimage, one can experience the grace and feel the most powerful concentration of energy, even if being non-believer. In the territory of the South America, in Peru, there are also places of power about which writes our reader and author Iya Zaitseva.
Yodel - Music of the Austrian mountains
Austrian tour operators launched an unusual touristic tourdesigned for fans of singing style called yodel. Hikers wander through the Ziller Valley, a broad trail narrows opening the way for only the most avid travellers, then track leads upwards. Tourists look into the interactive station shaped as a giantsonorous walk-in cowbell, then they go around thelargest alpine horn and head to place...
Le Grand Louvre
First exhibition of paintings in the world’s most visited museum the Louvre was opened on 1793. But its building was well-known far beyond France, though the edifice was not used with such lofty cultural purposes.
Your breakfast, Sir! How people start their day around the world
A mini toast, a slice of cheese and a sip of strong coffee. "That is not a buffet!" a waiter will pronounce indignantly, looking at the disgruntled tourist’s face. The generous Ukrainian soul cannot understand how locals manage to eat their full with that. Therefore, before going to a new country, you need to know exactly whether in the evening you should prepare a couple of sandwiches to indulge them in the morning,...
Sculpture of the Vatican: history and philosophy
"A small territory with a great mission" is the motto under which on February 11, 1929 Lateran Treaty between the Kingdom of Italy and the Holy See recognized Vatican as a sovereign territory. It was an agreement which opened doors for curious patrons who for centuries had been trading gossip about "What is kept inside Vatican castles?".
Malanka and Vasyl winter fun: Carnival in Ukrainian style
The New Year in Ukraine did not always start with a Christmas tree, and instead of Santa Claus and Snow Maiden, guests were waiting fora minx girl - Malanka and motor-boy Vasyl accompanied by the retinue. All the follies were out of hand: the ridiculed riddles carried a sacred content, dictated by the logic of the myth of the duel of spring and winter.
Christmas Eve and What’s to Follow
Christmas arrives with a warm overjacket on its shoulders. At night it brings warm light of the first evening star and in the morning it wakes you up with shine of white but warm sun. If my great-grandmonther’s grandmother had been asked about her Christmas feelings, I believe, her words would have been identical to mine. Because together with a bowl of kutia,...
Mulled wine: Yummy way to keep warm
Vitamins, development of resistance to cold, correct day regimen... That's all good and useful, especially when the winter weather swirls in, but sometimes we all have to pamper ourselves and at the same time to be protected against germs and colds. And the best way to do it is to sip some mulled wine.
Eskimo igloo: It is easy as a pie to build castles in ...snow
A little son came to his father and suggested to run away from mom and granny to the North Pole? Now, do not indulge into tragic speeches of severe frosts, pitch darkness of the polar night and hungry polar bears! Give a conspiracy wink to a little brave one, and give him a real man's job for his school winter holidays that is to learn how to build an igloo, night shelter in ever-frost lands.
Handicraft: persian carpets
In those days when the Persian soldiers were second to none, and both the Roman Empire and the Arabian Peninsula were conquered by their power, skilful fingers of winner nation craftswomen created their first masterpiece. The carpet called The Springtime passed into history as the most precious of all time. It symbolized powerful rule of the Persians, and its beauty told about the divine origin of the king Khosrow I.
Chan Chan. Peru city from clay
Experienced travelers tell that one could watch the ruins of ancient settlements in the Andes during several months, moving from one region to another. Particularly, the richest one in archaeological complexes of is the western coast of the Southern continent. A long time ago, some of them, such as Machu Picchu, have become popular with tourists, others are just beginning to open their doors to curious people.
Don’t break the tongue: The hardest languages in the world
It is said, the easier it is, the better we feel, however, is it always like that? We know that not all the nations follow this principle. OUTLOOK has found out the strangest, toughest and hard in articulation international languages and would like to share it with the readers.
What do they eat: Rome’s cuisine
OUTLOOK often tells about the kitchens of the peoples around the world, but when it comes to Italy, writing about the country should be a crime. Each of its twenty regions has its own culinary world with the subtleties and specialties. Let the title of gastronomic capital of Italy be Bologna, its official capital - Rome, too, has something to boast about. We are telling you what is remarkable about Roman cuisine...
Canyons: Deep and long
When, if not now to conquer summits, overcome seas and climb on the rocks? People often make great efforts to enjoy the comfort through the whole lifetime. But sometimes our soul needs some romance, so OUTLOOK presents seven unique canyons.
Kabuki: thorny path of flower
Traditional Japanese kabuki theatre has always been a mystery to the European mentality: only an expert on the culture of the Land of the Rising Sun can understand a play without guide’s tips. The word kabuki is sometimes translated as "the art of singing and dancing". Why not an operetta? The essence of performance is not confined to musical presentation only...
On the Move. Street food from around the world. Part 2
Do you happen to get hungry? That is great as we go on with our story about the most popular street food from around the world. It’s freshly cooked - fall to, you guys! Let's start with the South Asian countries, namely Singapore - seafood-rich in vitamins and minerals occupy a key place in the diet of residents ...
Закрыть
Outlook facebook page