La Chakana
The Crux, commonly referred to as the Southern Cross, is the smallest and most definitive constellation of the Southern Hemisphere. A group of four main stars, the constellation may be used to find the cardinal points. Such importance is reflected in the multiple representation of the Crux, including the Australian, Brazilian, New Zealander, and Mercosur flags. This prominence is reflected in Andean culture, where the four points of the Crux are apparent in one of the region’s prevalent symbols, the Chakana.
Originating from chakay, meaning "to cross" in Quechua, the chakana is rooted in its astrological beginnings, but its significance is more extensive. Corresponding to Incan mythology, the cross incorporates the three Incan tiers: Uqhu Pacha, underworld of death, Kay Pacha, world of the living, and Hanan Pacha, celestial world of the gods. These tiers may also be redefined as: underground, earth, and sky; snake, puma, and condor among the sacred animals of the Inca; or village, Sapa Inca, and temple for dividing the Incan harvest.
The four arms of the chakana equate to the cardinal points, or may designate the four provinces of Tawantinsuyu, while the circle represents Qosqo and the circle of life. The twelve peripheral points mark the months in a year. The lines which run vertically through the symbol represent interconnectivity between the worlds while horizontal lines are the bonds which unite those within each world.
The frequency and popularity of the chakana in Andean art and society from antiquity to modern day is a testament to the symbol’s broad significance.
