Chakana Pendant made of Palo Santo with Cord

Product detailed description

Chakana is the most important symbol of Andean culture. According to tradition, it represents a concept that has several levels of meaning and complexity depending on how it is used and interpreted.

Chakana, also known as “chaka hanan”, means “bridge to the summit”. It is associated with the constellation of the Southern Cross and represents a synthesis of the Andean worldview. It connects astronomy with the seasons and reflects the entire Andean system – spiritual, religious, and philosophical.

Chakana, understood as a bridge or crossing, appears at the intersection of lines drawn from top to bottom – vertically – and from left to right – horizontally. This creates two “sacred spaces” that are opposite yet complementary.

The first, vertical projection, is according to traditional interpretation divided into a male and a female half. The second, horizontal projection, is divided into a half of “celestial beings” and a half of “earthly and underworld beings”. The orientation from top to bottom is associated with masculine connotations, while the orientation from bottom to top is associated with feminine connotations.

Chakana has the shape of an X, and its diagonals connect the four corners of the “house”, that is, the universe. Chakana is an Andean symbol of the connection of the whole. The space above the horizontal line represents Hanaq Pacha – the world above, the “upper layer”. The space below the horizontal line represents Kay Pacha – this world. The communication channels between these worlds are, according to Andean tradition, springs, lagoons, and mountains.

In the Andean concept, there are many relationships of correspondence and complementarity – for example between ceiling and floor, sun and fire, day and night, man and woman. These relationships indicate the direction to follow and remind us of the balance between the different parts of the world.

The Palo Santo used for the pendant comes from legal sources in Peru and is purchased in accordance with SERFOR regulations and official guía forestal documentation.

Country of origin: Peru
Importer: Malvarenaco CZ s.r.o.