Three Pachas Peruvian Andes

  • Dramatic skies, vast changing landscape, ancient rituals
  • The Quechua word Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the three pachas (worlds).

The three levels of existence are Hana Pacha (the upper world inhabited by the superior gods), Kay Pacha, (the world of our everyday existence) and Ukhu or Urin Pacha (the underworld inhabited by spirits of the dead, the ancestors, their overlords and various deities having close contact to the Earth plane).

The upper world represents the future, the middle world is the present, and the lower world is the past. One goes through each stage of life from birth to death. After one dies, the spirit will not disappear; it could choose where it wants to go. If there are things unfinished in the middle world (Kay Pacha), the spirit can stay longer than the body. When all business is complete it could continue to reach the upper world (Hanan Pacha) or the lower world (Ukhu Pacha).

CHAKANA: Illustrated within the rock is a “Chakana” cross, representing the three stages of Inca life. Its etymology derives from the Quechua official language of the Inca word chakay, meaning “to cross” and “to bridge”. It is also said to represent Cusco, the center of the Incan empire, and the Southern Cross constellation.

HERDING LLAMAS: The llama was tamed by the Ancient Andean peoples some 5,000 years ago. It has continued to be used for food and as a pack animal. The llama has become a symbol of Peruvian culture.

OFFERING TO MOTHER EARTH: Ancient Andean ceremony for Pachamama is represented in the lower right hand corner of this painting. First a llama-wool blanket that had been knitted especially for these rituals is placed on the ground. The Shaman sets up a sacred mandala starting with a llama-wool blanket that had been knitted especially for these rituals, then arranging small offerings representing what Mother Earth has provided: goods, products, sweets and coca leaves, etc. The ritual is more than a thank you to Pachamama for all that she provides. The Shaman asks that we walk as one with her and care for her because we are all a part of her, she is the Cosmos. The ceremony also offers the opportunity to formally share your dreams and aspirations with her.