Shamans, Supernaturals & Animal Spirits: Mythic Figures From the Ancient Andes

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Tassel or Embellishment for a Garment
Radiant Deity with Weeping Eyes
Chimú culture
AD 1000-1476
Cotton, camelid wool; interlocking and
slit tapestry weave
5" x 3"
Literature
Amano Museum 1979a, fig. 70.
This shaped costume embellishment or tassel depicts a
radiant face with weeping eyes. The personification
possibly represents a north coast cosmic or creator deity with
solar, lunar and water attributes. Multicolored rays exploit the
typical Chimú color palette, emphasizing tonalities of cochineal
red, gold, white and black.
The crescent form is the ubiquitous element of Chimú and
Lambayeque iconography. The motif is employed as a headdress
for every kind of mythical personage, whether human, bird,
animal or supernatural entity.
That its symbolic significance was derived from the moon—a
celestial being venerated by coastal societies deeply aware of
its connection with the ocean, the tides and female power—is
confirmed by north coast myths and origin tales recorded in
the Spanish Chronicles and later colonial sources.
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