Pachacamac
Pachacamac was a powerful chthonic creator god in Inca mythology. While sometimes considered a reinterpretation of Viracocha, Pachacamac had his own distinct identity.
Associated with the clouds, sky, fire, and earthquakes, Pachacamac was believed to have the power to cause massive cataclysms with a single head movement. His ability to predict the future and control the earth’s movements earned him the title “God of Earthquakes.”
Contrary to being a protector against earthquakes, Pachacamac was believed to provoke them. To appease him and avoid such disasters, offerings were made to him. Pachacamac was often represented as a long wooden idol depicting zoomorphic, ornitomorphic, and anthropomorphic designs, along with crops, plants, and atmospheric phenomena. This lower part symbolized his role in creating the earth.
The upper part of the idol showed Pachacamac with two aggressive-looking faces, representing the duality of pre-Hispanic Andean thought. He was considered the creator of the second generation of humans, having defeated and banished the god Kon in a fierce battle.
Before the Incas, the Ichma people worshiped Pachacamac with great respect. His power was such that people could not look directly at him, and even his priests entered his temple backwards. Due to his influence, the Incas adopted him into their pantheon.
While only high dignitaries could enter the great temples dedicated to Pachacamac, ordinary pilgrims could observe and make their own sacrifices in the plazas.
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