description Inti Overview
Inti was the principal deity of the Inca state religion, worshipped as the sun god and divine ancestor of the Sapa Inca emperor. Gold was considered the sweat of Inti, and the Coricancha temple in Cusco was dedicated to him, its walls reportedly covered in gold sheets. The annual Inti Raymi festival, held during the June winter solstice to honor the sun, was the most important ceremony in the Inca calendar and is reenacted annually in Cusco.
help Inti FAQ
What was Inti's role in the Tawantinsuyu empire?
Inti was the Inca sun god and served as the principal state deity of the powerful Tawantinsuyu empire. The Inca emperors believed they were the direct descendants of Inti, cementing the god's supreme political and religious authority.
What is the Inti Raymi festival?
The Inti Raymi is an ancient Inca religious ceremony dedicated to honoring Inti, historically held during the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. Today, the festival is still heavily celebrated annually in Cusco, Peru, drawing massive crowds.
How was Inti typically represented in Inca temples?
The god was frequently represented in physical form by highly polished gold statues and masks, as gold was considered the 'sweat of the sun.' The most prominent representation was housed in the Coricancha, the grand Sun Temple in Cusco.
Which animals were considered sacred to Inti?
The llama was highly sacred to Inti and was frequently sacrificed in his honor during major festivals like the Inti Raymi. Condors and pumas were also associated with the sun god and held high religious significance throughout the empire.
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