Viracocha was the supreme creator in Inca mythology. This powerful god was worshipped long before all other gods, even Inti. It was believed that Viracocha created the Earth twice. At first, he made a darkened Earth, which became the land of giants. However, Viracocha was very unhappy with the cruel and evil giants that disobeyed him. He turned many of them to stone, and then summoned a flood to wash the rest away.
The creator-god tried once more. This time, he formed humans out of clay and gave them different distinguishable symbols such as clothes and languages. He brought the Sun, Moon and stars out of the depths of Lake Titicaca and into the sky. But most importantly, Viracocha wandered the Earth, teaching and helping his people so they didn't become like the giants. It was said that once people were created, they were told to go deep into the Earth. When they emerged from a cave, they were to start their civilization.
Viracocha was often shown as a bearded man, wearing the Sun for a crown, holding thunderbolts in his hands, and crying tears of rain. He was married to Mamacocha, the goddess of wind and rain. Viracocha was a rather laid-back god. He preferred to let other gods such as Inti do most of the work, while he watched over them. Viracocha was later worshipped as the storm god.
Many sacrifices were made to this important god. It was considered a special honor to sacrifice a child. Evidence of these sacrifices is preserved in the Andean mountains.
Viracocha was the supreme creator in Inca mythology. This powerful god was worshipped long before all other gods, even Inti. It was believed that Viracocha created the Earth twice. At first, he made a darkened Earth, which became the land of giants. However, Viracocha was very unhappy with the cruel and evil giants. He summoned a flood to wash the rest away.
The creator-god tried once more. This time, he formed humans out of clay and gave them different symbols such as clothes and languages. He brought the Sun, Moon and stars out of the depths of Lake Titicaca and into the sky. But most importantly, Viracocha wandered the Earth, teaching and helping his people so they would not become like the giants.
Viracocha was often shown as a bearded man, wearing the Sun for a crown, holding thunderbolts in his hands, and crying tears of rain. He was married to Mamacocha, the goddess of wind and rain. Viracocha was later worshipped as the storm god.
Viracocha was the creator in Inca mythology. He actually made the world twice. The first time, he got mad at the giants, and used a giant flood to wash them away. He then created the world again. This time, he walked around the Earth, teaching people how to live the right way.
Viracocha would make other gods do most of the work while he watched. Even Inti was under his control. He did bring the Sun, Moon and stars out of Lake Titicaca to go up into the sky. Viracocha was a small bearded man with a thunderbolt in his hand. He was also worshipped as the storm god.
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