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The Incas worshiped many gods. The supreme Incan deity that created and ruled all living things was called Viracocha. The other most important deity was the Sun god Inti whom the Incan Emperors descended from. The Incas also worshiped the moon, rain, rainbow and many of the mountains surrounding them. Each of the mountains was considered a deity. The Incas felt a strong kinship with nature. Many of the temples had waterfalls, fountains and windows that looked out over the mountains surrounding Machu Pichu, a place not far from Cuzco that is believed to be an Incan sanctuary or holy place.
Priests were very important in Incan life. Not only did they perform rituals and maintain the temples, but decided when to plant certain crops and when to wage war. Incas worshiped the Sun- the first emperor and his wife were fathered by the sun. Midwinter day was celebrated to capture the sun and bind it to Intihuatana -"hitching post of the sun" Soothsayers understood the sun and used sundials. They Incas believed in omens and prophecies. |
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The Incas also believed in Capacocha - the sacred Inca ceremony of human sacrifice. Little is known except that the Incas worshiped mountains as gods, children were used as the sacrifice and it was an honor to have it done. These were only done before or after a major natural event - earthquake, drought, or death of the Emperor. |
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