Peruvian Chakana Necklace - Machu Picchu Stone - Matte

The chakana (or Inca Cross) symbolizes for Inca mythology what is known in other mythologies as the World Tree, Tree of Life and so on. The stepped cross is made up of an equal-armed cross indicating the cardinal points of the compass and a superimposed square.

The square represents the other two levels of existence. The three levels of existence are Hana Pacha (the upper world inhabited by the superior gods), Kay Pacha, (the world of our everyday existence) and Ucu or Urin Pacha (the underworld inhabited by spirits of the dead, the ancestors, their overlords and various deities having close contact to the Earth plane).

The hole through the centre of the cross is the Axis by means of 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 snake. The four flat sides represent the elements: Water, Air, Earth, Fire.