Moon Temple (Chía)

The Moon Temple of Chía was a temple constructed by the Muisca as a place of worship for their Moon goddess Chía. The temple was built in Chía, Cundinamarca, Colombia, then part of the Muisca Confederation. It was one of the most important temples in the religion of the Muisca.[2][3] The temple was destroyed during the Spanish conquest of the Muisca on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense. Little is known about the temple built on the Tíquiza Hill in western Chía bordering Tabio.[4]

Moon Temple
Chía rising over the Bogotá savanna
Location within Colombia
LocationChía, Cundinamarca
RegionBogotá savanna
Altiplano Cundiboyacense,
 Colombia
Coordinates4°52′11.76″N 74°05′14.30″W
Altitude2,636 m (8,648 ft)[1]
TypeTemple
Part ofMuisca sites
History
AbandonedSpanish conquest
PeriodsLate Muisca
CulturesMuisca
Satellite ofBacatá
Site notes
ConditionDestroyed

Structure and worship
Coat of arms of Chía; City of the Moon

The Temple of the Moon was built on the Tíquiza Hill west of the urban centre of Chía. The Muisca had an advanced knowledge of astronomy and constructed various sites across their territories. El Infiernito, just outside Villa de Leyva has survived, while the Sun Temple of Sugamuxi has been reconstructed. Just like the Sun Temple, the Moon temple was constructed according to the positions of the respective celestial body.[5]

At the temple rituals were organised by the caciques and zipas of the Muisca Confederation. The caciques and priests at the Moon Temple wore white robes, different from those at the Sun Temple that were red.[4] The Moon Temple not only formed a place of worship, also education to the new caciques and Muisca rulers was provided near the temple (Seminario de la Cuca).[5][6][7]

Other Moon temples in the world

See also

References
  1. Google Maps Elevation Finder
  2. Ocampo López, 2013, Ch.4, p.33
  3. Ocampo López, 2007, Ch.V, p.226
  4. (in Spanish) Muisca Precolombino Archived 2017-12-01 at the Wayback Machine
  5. (in Spanish) Templo de la Luna in Chía - Pueblos Originarios
  6. (in Spanish) Education at the Moon Temple, Chía
  7. (in Spanish) Chía, Ciudad de la Luna - El Tiempo

Bibliography
  • Ocampo López, Javier. 2013. Mitos y leyendas indígenas de Colombia - Indigenous myths and legends of Colombia, 1-219. Plaza & Janes Editores Colombia S.A..
  • Ocampo López, Javier. 2007. Grandes culturas indígenas de América - Great indigenous cultures of the Americas, 1–238. Plaza & Janes Editores Colombia S.A..
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