Iconography describes the patterns and symbols that represent a subject, and in traditional Andean textiles, the designs are incredibly diverse. Weavers still draw inspiration from their natural surroundings and each community’s iconography is unique. Those who live near the jungle may incorporate replications of tiger’s eyes while those in the Andes Mountains may weave images of llamas and alpacas. Here are a few of the more contemporary designs seen today in Andean textiles.
Andean people live in harmony with nature and many of the designs reflect this connection with the natural environment. Some popular patterns include the sun, rivers, and weaves representing the curving paths through the mountains. Flowers, stars and eyes also make an appearance in many of the modern textiles designs.
Other popular symbols that appear include the animals that are a part of daily life living in the mountains, such as llamas and dogs. Birds, small creatures and even human forms are common in more contemporary designs.
The Andes Mountain area is well known for its stunning landscape and abundance of flowers and plants, which are among some of the most popular symbols woven into the beautiful stripes of the textiles.
In our aguayo fabrics, one of the most popular symbols is the Chakana symbol, or Inca cross. This symbol represents the “World Tree”, or “Tree of Life”, as it is known in other mythologies. It also represents both the city of Cusco – the center of the Incan empire, and the Southern Cross star constellation.
Below you can see all the different variations of the same popular Chakana symbol across the different Andean cultures: Inca, Chavin, Huari & Casma.
Whether representing native values, animals or nature, the intricate patterns and symbols of traditional Andean textiles inspire the contemporary patterns, such as the ones seen in many of our aguayo fabrics!
Andean people live in harmony with nature and many of the designs reflect this connection with the natural environment. Some popular patterns include the sun, rivers, and weaves representing the curving paths through the mountains. Flowers, stars and eyes also make an appearance in many of the modern textiles designs.
The Andes Mountain area is well known for its stunning landscape and abundance of flowers and plants, which are among some of the most popular symbols woven into the beautiful stripes of the textiles.
In our aguayo fabrics, one of the most popular symbols is the Chakana symbol, or Inca cross. This symbol represents the “World Tree”, or “Tree of Life”, as it is known in other mythologies. It also represents both the city of Cusco – the center of the Incan empire, and the Southern Cross star constellation.
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