A date written in the stars

Every May 3, Indigenous peoples of the Andes honor the Chakana, an ancient symbol that embodies a complex vision of the universe. More than a geometric figure, it reflects a philosophy that continues to shape Andean identity.

This date aligns with a celestial phenomenon: the Southern Cross constellation (Chakana in Quechua) reaches its highest point in the night sky, standing vertically along the Earth’s axis. This alignment was sacred for the Inca and pre-Inca cultures, signaling a new agricultural and spiritual cycle.

The meaning behind the form

Often called the “stepped cross,” the Chakana represents multiple layers of Andean cosmology. Its four arms indicate the cardinal directions and the four classical elements: water, earth, air, and fire. At its core, it embodies the Andean trinity:

• Hanan Pacha (the upper world – gods and stars)

• Kay Pacha (the present world – humans and life)

• Ukhu Pacha (the inner world – ancestors and the subconscious)

Each corner, line, and step reflects a principle: reciprocity (Ayni), harmony with nature, balance between the material and spiritual, and the continuous cycles of life.

Sacred animals and their place in the Chakana

The Chakana also integrates the three sacred animals of the Andean trilogy, each representing a world of existence and associated with a specific direction or level of the symbol:

• Condor (Kuntur) – South / Upper arms of the Chakana
  Represents the Hanan Pacha (upper world), home of the gods, the sun, and the stars. The condor, with its great wingspan, is the cosmic messenger that connects heaven and earth.

• Puma (Otorongo) – Center of the Chakana / Horizontal arms
  Symbol of the Kay Pacha (this world), where humans and living beings exist. The puma represents strength, intelligence, and action — it occupies the present dimension at the heart of the cross.

• Snake (Amaru) – North / Lower arms of the Chakana
  Linked to the Ukhu Pacha (inner world), realm of the ancestors, dreams, and hidden knowledge. The serpent represents intuition, transformation, and the wisdom found in depth and silence.

These animals are not mere figures; they are guides for ethical and spiritual life. Their place within the Chakana marks a vertical axis of connection: from the depths of the subconscious to the heights of the divine — a true cosmic ladder.

A living symbol of cultural resistance

Today, the Chakana resurfaces as a symbol of cultural resistance, ancestral memory, and spiritual wisdom. In cities like Cusco, La Paz, and Quito, Chakana Day is celebrated with ceremonies, rituals, and community gatherings that reaffirm the connection between humanity and the cosmos.

At Andina Connect, we honor this symbol not as a relic of the past, but as a living guide for a future rooted in balance, identity, and collective memory.