The Incas believed that gold and silver were not merely valuable metals, but were sacred substances imbued with divine significance. To them, gold was seen as the ‘sweat of the sun,’ while silver was thought to be the ‘tears of the moon.’ This profound connection to nature infused these metals with spiritual meaning, making them central to Inca culture.
Gold was reserved for the elite, particularly the nobility and the gods, and was commonly used in religious ceremonies and construction of temples. They crafted intricate jewelry, ceremonial masks, and other artifacts that showcased the metal’s luster and beauty. Silver, on the other hand, was also highly valued but was used more widely among the population for tools and decorative items.
Additionally, when the Incas encountered Spanish conquistadors, their gold and silver possessions became a focal point of conflict. The Spaniards sought to exploit these resources, misinterpreting the Incas’ reverence for these materials as mere greed. This cultural clash ultimately led to the significant disruption of Inca society.