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42-519: Originally named Intikancha or Intiwasi , it was dedicated to Inti , and is located at the former Inca capital of Cusco . The High Priest resided in the temple and offered up the ordinary sacrifices, accompanied by religious rites, with the help of other priests. Most of the temple was destroyed after the 16th-century war with the Spanish conquistadors , as settlers also took it apart to build their own churches and residences. Much of its stonework

84-528: A hollowed out midsection that was filled with a concoction made of gold dust and the ashes of the Inca kings' hearts. Inti is represented as a golden disk with rays and a human face. Many such disks were supposedly held in Cusco as well as in shrines throughout the empire, especially at Qurikancha, where the most significant image of Inti was discovered by anthropologists. This representation, adorned with ear spools,

126-474: A pectoral, and a royal headband, was known as punchaw ( Quechua for day, also spelled punchao ). This image of Inti was also said to have lions and serpents projecting from its form. The worship of Inti and the rise of the Inti cult are considered to be exploitations of religion for political purposes, since the Inca king was increasingly identified with the sun god. This grew into a form of divine patronage and

168-451: A symbol of Inti and their nation, which led to the need to be holy to enter certain cities, and even to travel at all within the empire. The items offered in worship to Inti for which there is archeological evidence in include simple prayers, food, coca leaves and woven cloth, as well as animals, blood and human beings. The temples often have the most embellishment, with the designs inside being done of gold and other jewels. Thus, adding to

210-400: Is Inti Wawqi ("Sun brother", or "Inti brother", also spelled Inti-Guauqui, Inti-Huaoqui ). Inti Wawqi also represents the sun god in his specific position as the founding father of Inca reign and the center of the state's official ancestor cult. In astronomy, Apu Inti and Churi Inti can actually be separated from one another along an astronomical axis. This is because they are associated with

252-667: Is an underground archaeological museum that contains mummies , textiles , and sacred idols from the site. Today, at the Convent of Santo Domingo, are four remaining rooms of the ancient temple with sloping walls, in which there can still be seen broken stone relics from the House of the Sun ( Inti-huasi ), consisting primarily of blocks of grey andesite stone, of diorite stone and of limestone rock that had been carved and formed into ceremonial niches, or used for walls and canals. In one of

294-538: Is not of Quechua origin but a loanword from Puquina . Borrowing from Puquina explains why historically unrelated languages such as Quechua, Aymara and Mapuche have similar words for the Sun. Similitudes are not only linguistic but also symbolically as in Mapuche and Central Andean cosmology the Sun (Inti/Antu) and the Moon (Quilla/Cuyen) are spouses. Inti and his sister, Mama Quilla (also spelled Mama Killa),

336-559: Is often linked to the origin and expansion of the Inca Sun Cult. The Willaq Umu was the high priest of the Sun (Inti). His position placed him as the second most powerful person in the kingdom. He was directly underneath the Sapa Inca , and they were often brothers. The emperor and his family were believed to be descended from Inti. Spanish conquistadors captured a great golden disk representing Inti in 1571 and sent it to

378-482: Is still used on important symbolic figures within countries that were once part of the Inca Empire , proving that while this religion is no longer the foothold of these nations as it once was, the mythology and features are still present today. While these are not guaranteed to have connections to the god, Inti, the cultural significance of the sun has clearly carried over throughout the changes of empires and through

420-467: Is where Manco Cápac decided to build the Coricancha, the foundation of Cusco, and the eventual Inca Empire . According to Ed Krupp , "The Inca built the Coricancha at the confluence because that place represented terrestrially the organizing pivot of heaven." Inti Inti is the ancient Inca sun god . He is revered as the national patron of the Inca state. Although most consider Inti

462-630: The Convent of Santo Domingo on the site, demolishing the temple and using its foundations for the cathedral. They also used parts of the for other churches and residences. Construction took most of a century. This is one of numerous sites where the Spanish incorporated Inca stonework into the structure of a colonial building. Major earthquakes severely damaged the church, but the Inca stone walls, built out of huge, tightly interlocking blocks of stone, still stand due to their sophisticated stone masonry. Nearby

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504-582: The Moon goddess were generally considered benevolent deities. She then conceived and bore him two children. Their court is served by the Rainbow, the Pleiades , Venus , and others. Manco Cápac , the founding Inca ancestor, was thought to have been the son of Inti. According to myth, Inti taught Manco Cápac and his daughter Mama Ocllo the arts of civilization. However, another legend identifies Manco Cápac as

546-494: The aqllakuna ("chosen women"), and they would weave special cloth and brew chicha for festivities and sacrifices to Inti. Additionally, the chief temple of the Inca state religion was the Qurikancha in Cusco. Within this temple were wall niches in which the bodies of previous emperors and rulers were exhibited along with various statues of Inti in certain festivals. Some figures of Inti also depicted him in human form with

588-490: The pope via Spain. It has since been lost and may have been converted to bullion . There is another interpretation of the creation event that leads to a conflict between Viracocha and Inti in which there is an argument over what the creation of the Sun means and whether it should be worshipped as a separate entity. Some sources identify the central figure of the Gateway of the Sun as Inti and others as Viracocha, and that

630-514: The Inca culture would be the Sun Gate in Tiwanaku . The sun gate found here has significant impact on the solar archaeology of the site as it shows great insight into the position of the sun on days of importance, such as both solstices and equinoxes. The Sun has clear importance to the Inca civilization, which can even be seen in the architecture of the empire. The Ushnus , were buildings where

672-549: The Inca did not use any stone with a slight imperfection or break. By choosing this masonry type, the Inca intentionally demonstrated the importance of the building through the extent of the labor necessary to build the structure. Through the arduous labor needed to construct buildings with ashlar masonry, this form of construction came to signify the Inca's imperial power to mobilize and direct local labor forces. The replication throughout Andean South America of Inca architectural techniques, such as those employed at Coricancha, expressed

714-432: The Inca. Corresponding with the three diurnal stages of the sun, Inti's identity is also divided into three primary subcomplexes, which are the father, son, and brother. The first of these is Apu Inti ("supreme Inti"). He represents the father and is sometimes known as "The Lord Sun." The second is Churi Inti, or "Son Inti," who represents the son of Inti and is often known as "Daylight." The third and final division of Inti

756-510: The Spanish in 1533 required the Inca to raise a ransom in gold for the life of their leader Atahualpa , most of the gold was collected from Coricancha. ...the temple in the whole edifice was of excellent masonry, the stones very well placed and fixed. Some of the stones were very large. There was no mortar, either of earth or lime, but a sort of bitumen with which they used to fix their stones. The stones themselves are so well worked that no joining or cement can be seen. The Spanish colonists built

798-525: The Sun was just one of many creations. The Inca dedicated many ceremonies to the Sun in order to ensure the Sapa Inca's welfare. The sun was also important to the Incas, particularly the people of the highlands, because it was necessary for the production of crops like maize and other grains. The sun's heat was also thought to cause rain. During the rainy season the sun was hotter and brighter, while during

840-426: The blocks belonging to the second course of stones, three holes can be seen that possibly served to drain rainwater from the patio or from the chicha libation . According to the experiments conducted by Peruvian folklorist, Augusto León Barandiarán, one can hear the musical notes D , A and G when the holes are struck with an instrument. The outer wall of the temple is made up of blocks of pink and grey granite stone,

882-658: The colonization of the Andes. The Sun is also depicted on the coat of arms of Bolivia , coat of arms of Argentina , coat of arms of Uruguay and coat of arms of Ecuador , as well as the historical flag of Peru . All these countries except Uruguay were historically part of the Inca Empire. The highest bestowed honor given by the Peruvian state, Order of the Sun , also invokes association with Inti. The Sun of May possibly has its roots in Inti as well and can be found on

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924-405: The convenience of these comparisons for Inca emperors is crucial. The female priests had a different specialized purpose during the solstice , as the sun was said to have foretold of a death that would end the line of the Sun in the Inca Empire. After the solstice, the mamakuna would begin a fasting area, to hopefully bring them closer to the sorrow of the sun, so that they might understand what

966-512: The daytime where the sun was the highlight of the sky instead of the moon, and that one was for the power to grow things relating to the agricultural significance of the sun worship. The sun can be seen in culture across the Andean culture even before the Inca empire dominated the land. This connection to the sun could be due to the heavy importance of agriculture in these societies, as without consistent sunlight, most crops do not fare well. The sun

1008-410: The dry season it was weaker. The Incas would set aside large quantities of natural and human resources throughout the empire for Inti. Each conquered province was supposed to dedicate a third of their lands and herds to Inti as mandated by the Inca. Each major province would also have a Sun Temple in which male and female priests would serve. The female priests were the mamakuna , who were chosen from

1050-529: The extent of Inca control over a vast geographic region. Pachakutiq Inca Yupanqui rebuilt Cusco and the House of the Sun, enriching it with more oracles and edifices, and adding plates of fine gold. He provided vases of gold and silver for the Mama-cunas, nuns or cloistered women, to use in the veneration services. These celibate girls and women were mostly employed in weaving and in dyeing woollen cloth for

1092-408: The festival of Inti Raymi began with a fast of three days, where there were no fires lit and the people abstained from having sexual intercourse. This festival would last for nine days, and during this time the people consumed massive amounts of food and drink. There were many sacrifices as well, which were all performed on the first day. After the nine days everyone would leave with the permission of

1134-677: The interior surface of which showing signs of a vitrified layer that allowed for the reflection of light at night. Similarities are found in the semicircular temples found in the Temple of the Sun in Cusco, the Torreon in Machu Picchu , and the Temple of the Sun in Písac . In particular, all three exhibit a "parabolic enclosure wall" of the finest stonework, as Bingham describes it. These structures were also used for similar purposes, including

1176-414: The leading soldiers would pledge to be loyal towards the leadership of the Inca leadership, and these buildings have a deep connection to the sun. These sites would provide connections during the solar zenith passes. The impact of this can be seen that the buildings were done in relation to the understanding that they had toward the sun, and that they paid attention to the horizon at various important days of

1218-472: The llama's eyes, or llamaq ñawin. A baby llama, llama-cría, was inverted underneath. To the left of the llamas is a red-eyed fox, atuq, which lies between Sagittarius and the tail of Scorpius. The tail of Scorpius is known as a storehouse, or qullqa . A partridge, yutu, was just below the Southern Cross , and a toad, hamp'atu, to the lower right. A serpent, machaguay, extends off to

1260-502: The observation of solstices and Inca constellations. Within the Milky Way , which the Inca called mayu or Celestial River, the Inca distinguished dark area or clouds , which they called yana phuyu. These were considered silhouettes or shadows of animals drinking from the river water. Amongst the animals named by the Inca, was a llama extended from Scorpius to Alpha Centauri and Beta Centauri , in which those two stars formed

1302-526: The right. During the Inti Raymi , the Sapa Inca and curacas would proceed from the Haucaypata , where they greeted the rising June solstice sun, to the inner court of the Coricancha. On a bench in the "sun room", the Sapa Inca sat with the mummies of his ancestors. This and other rooms were oriented northeast–southwest, shingled in gold plate, and embedded with emeralds and turquoise. Focusing

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1344-415: The service of the temple, as well as in making chicha . Finally, he took the bodies of the seven deceased Incas and adorned them with masks, head-dresses, medals, bracelets, and sceptres of gold, placing them on a golden bench. The walls were once covered in sheets of gold, and the adjacent courtyard was filled with golden statues. Spanish reports tell of an opulence that was "fabulous beyond belief". When

1386-539: The son of Viracocha . In a different myth, Inti is the son of the Earth goddess Pachamama and the sky god. Inti also becomes the second husband of Pachamama. Inti ordered his children to build the Inca capital where a divine golden bar or wedge they carried with them penetrated the earth. Incas believed that this happened in the city of Cusco . The Inca ruler was considered to be the living representative of Inti. Pachacuti

1428-422: The status of those who worshipped within the building for the sun, and to show that there is some sacrifice to the god by giving the temple these glories that would no longer be used for the people of the civilization, but the god instead. The festival of Inti Raymi honors the sun god and was originally meant to celebrate the start of a new planting season. It now attracts many tourists each year to Cusco, which

1470-405: The summer and winter solstices respectively. Inti Wawqi, however, is not associated with an astronomical location. The other main theory regarding the separation of the sun involves the duties that Inti provided rather than being different stages of the sun. The belief states that one of the suns was for the actual star in the sky that gave light and heat to the planet, that one of the suns was for

1512-475: The sun god, he is more appropriately viewed as a cluster of solar aspects, since the Inca divided his identity according to the stages of the sun. Worshiped as a patron deity of the Inca Empire , Pachacuti is often linked to the origin and expansion of the Inca Sun Cult. The most common belief was that Inti was born of Viracocha , who had many titles, chief among them being the God of Creation . The word inti

1554-465: The sun's rays with a concave mirror, the Sapa Inca would light a fire for the burnt sacrifice of llamas. Children were also sacrificed in certain circumstances; they were brought to Cusco following a ceque and huaca route of tribute. The Coricancha is located at the confluence of two rivers, one of which being the Huatanay River which is now highly polluted. Here, according to Inca myth,

1596-400: The year, that way they could make these connections. Thus, providing another symbol that allows for the Sun to be seen as a key feature of their culture. This is hypothesized to be a reference to when the ceremonies could occur, so that they would be blessed by the sun. On top of being used in the symbolism of the past, and the sun having an importance in the culture and religion there, the sun

1638-580: Was the ancient capital of the Inca Empire . The name of the festival, Inti Raymi, translates into "sun festival" and was held during the Southern Hemisphere's winter solstice , which is the shortest day of the year. This fell around June 24 in the Inca Empire. This festival was attended by the four sectors of Tawantinsuyu . Military captains, government officials, and the vassals who attended were dressed in their best costumes and carried their best weapons and instruments. Preparation for

1680-410: Was also connected to the rain, and the ability for the clouds to rain, which is another aspect that is necessary for the development of crops , leading even further into the importance of life and specifically agriculture in this society. This is why Inti is the god that is most worshipped in the culture outside of the creator god, Viracocha . One example of the symbolism that could be found outside of

1722-420: Was going to happen and prevent the wrong-doing from happening. There is another aspect of worship that does not involve the priests, but rather the people of Inca. Because they believed that they were descended from the sun. More specifically the ruling class were descended from the sun and that connected the people to that holiness. This led to every time a member of Inca society travelled, they were doing so as

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1764-404: Was used as the foundation for the seventeenth-century Santo Domingo Convent . It was built after the 1650 earthquake destroyed the first Dominican convent. To construct Coricancha, the Inca used ashlar masonry, building from the placement of similarly sized cuboid stones that they hand cut and shaped for this purpose. The use of ashlar masonry made the temple much more difficult to construct, as

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