Peruvian Chakana Spiral Shell Inlay Pendant Necklace - Sterling Silver

The chakana, also called Incan or Andean Cross, symbolizes in Inca mythology what is known in other mythologies as the World Tree, Tree of Life and other similar motifs of the three worlds or planes of existence. The stepped cross shape of the chakana is made up of an equal-armed cross indicating the cardinal points of the compass with a superimposed square, representing the other two levels of existence. The three levels of existence are Hanaq Pacha (the upper world inhabited by the superior gods); Kay Pacha, (the world of our everyday existence) and Ukhu Pacha (the underworld inhabited by spirits of the dead, ancestors, their overlords and various deities having close contact to the earth plane). The hole through the center of the cross represents the axis mundi through which the shaman transits the cosmic vault to the other levels. It also represents Cuzco, the center of the Incan empire, and the Southern Cross constellation. The cross has 12 points and legend has it these points represent the following sayings, affirmations and life points: I live, I work, I love; The underworld, The current world, The upper world; the cougar, the eagle, the serpent. The four flat sides represent the elements: Water, Air, Earth, Fire.