Incan Spirituality 101

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Throughout the year, I have learned and experienced different world religions, for example Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism.  The final one we experienced was the Incan faith during our time in Peru.  This faith really honours the Earth and offers a deep respect for nature.  When the Spanish invaded South America in the 1500’s, they brought Christianity and forced the Incas to convert. Today, most people in Peru are Christian but still pay tribute to the Incan gods and combine the two faiths.

Most religions have a symbol to represent their beliefs.  For example, the symbol for Christianity is the cross, the symbol for Judaism is the star of David, and in Islam the symbol is the moon.  In Incan spirituality, the main symbol is the “Chakana” or the “Andean Cross”.  It has 3 steps on each side and a circle in the middle.

A chakana en.wikipedia.org
A chakana
en.wikipedia.org

 

The steps on the Chakana represent the three main animals in the Andes: the condor, the puma, and the snake.  The condor represents Heaven, the puma represents the Earth, and the snake represents the Underworld.  The steps also represent values such as hard work, honesty, and kindness.  These values were some of the only laws at the time and were, and still are, taken very seriously.

A statue of an Inca with a condor, puma, and snake
A statue of an Inca with a condor, puma, and snake

The circle in the middle represents Cusco which was the centre of the Incan empire and also thought to be the centre of the universe. The four beginnings of the steps also represent the four directions: North, East, South, and West.

During our time in Peru, we attended blessing ceremonies for one of the most important Incan gods, “Pachimama”, also known as “Mother Earth”.  She is very important to the Incan faith because she is the connection to growing crops, clean water, and nice weather.  People today still worship her and leave offerings. These are usually tall piles of carefully chosen rocks with the best and most perfect coca leaves placed within the sculpture. Another ritual for Pachimama is to pour the first sip of a drink onto the earth and give her thanks.  We participated in these types of offerings while in a local village and while hiking.

Our offering to Pachimama
Our offering to Pachimama

There are many different “creation stories” about the origins of the Incas. One story claims the first Incas rose out of Lake Titicaca, which is the highest lake in the world and is sacred to the Incas.  Before the first king, the sun god Viracocha rose from this lake and created the sun and stars.  Another story is the Incan kings came out of caves in the mountains, probably symbolizing they were the children of Pachimama.

Whichever is the accepted version, I see similarities between this faith and North American Native spirituality. Both focus on taking care of the Earth and have a deep respect and reverence for nature.  The innukshuks of the North American Natives and the offerings to Pachimama are very similar.  I wonder if some of the North American Natives moved down to South America and brought these ideas with them.

Learning about different world religions this year has been an incredible eye-opening experience. I think religions should focus on their similarities instead of differences.  For example, they all promote kindness, honesty, and productivity.  I just wish they could see how similar they are instead of fighting over their differences.  This trip has given me so many things to think about and reflect on and I still have so much to learn about the world where we live.


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Comments

8 responses to “Incan Spirituality 101”

  1. Herta Park Avatar
    Herta Park

    Wouldn’t it be amazing if every 13 year old could have the experiences and the thoughts that you have had…
    You are too young to know a song by the Beatles titled “Imagine”, but ask your mom and dad about it, or listen to it on line…..
    I have really enjoyed these posts and your insightful thoughts and comments to all of the religions .

    1. Mikhaila Avatar

      Hi Herta,

      I do know that song and I like it a lot! I have really enjoyed learning about different religions. But as much as I think I know, I have a feeling I’ll be learning a lot more. 🙂

  2. Chris Kennedy Avatar
    Chris Kennedy

    Mikhaila,
    It would be fantastic if you could one day meet up with Brian Carwana; he teaches world religions at Encounter World Religions in Guelph and Toronto. He’s a wonderful teacher and you two would learn so much from each other. I did his one-week course in Toronto; we were made welcome in many Hindu, Sikh, Toaist and Bhuddist temples, synagogues, mosques, even a native lodge!

    1. Mikhaila Avatar

      Hello Chris,

      That would be really interesting! I will definitely look into it. 🙂

  3. Hi Mikhaila,
    Great Blog! I share the same thoughts as you! We need to share the positives and similarities of all religions! Love, Baba

    1. Mikhaila Avatar

      Hi Baba,

      Thanks for the lovely comment! 🙂

  4. […] temple below it was also interesting because it had three steps (chakana) on the side of the entrance representing Heaven, Earth and the Underworld.  Bodies were found in […]

  5. […] Heaven, earth, and the underworld. We all took turns blowing on them three times and thanked Pachimama (Mother Earth) for her […]

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