Long ago, in the highlands of the Andes, the Quechua people told stories of Amaru, a magnificent and mystical creature. Amaru had the body of a colossal serpent that shimmered in the colors of the rainbow, a head resembling a llama or a puma, wings like a condor, and a tail like a fish. It lived in Pacarinas, deep caves, mountain crevices, or beneath sacred lakes such as Lake Titicaca. When the world faced drought or the balance of the universe needed restoration, Amaru would awaken and soar into the sky, bringing life and magic to the land.
Amaru was revered as the master of rain and the protector of crops. The people of the Andes believed that every rainbow stretching across the sky was Amaru’s body weaving through the heavens. Its powerful condor wings stirred winds that carried clouds, while its breath created mist and rain. Water flowing from Amaru’s body nourished the valleys, feeding fields of maize and potatoes. Without the “Rainbow Serpent,” the earth would crack and the harvests would fail, and life itself would wither under the sun.
Legends also tell of Amaru’s power to punish and restore balance. When humans grew arrogant and forgot to respect nature, the gods allowed two enormous Amaru serpents to rise from the earth. Their fierce battle shook the Andes, carving deep valleys and gorges that still remain today. After the chaos subsided, Amaru returned to the lakes, leaving behind a world cleansed and renewed. This story reminded people that destruction is often necessary for rebirth and that nature’s cycles must be honored.
Amaru symbolized the connection between the three worlds of Inca cosmology. It moved freely between Uku Pacha, the underworld, where it guarded underground waters; Kay Pacha, the earthly realm, where it provided rain and life; and Hanan Pacha, the celestial realm, where it became a rainbow connecting humans to the gods. Through this unique role, Amaru represented the harmony between life, death, and the divine, teaching people to live in balance with the world around them.
Today, Amaru continues to carry spiritual and cultural significance. Its image, often depicted as a serpent biting its own tail, symbolizes the endless cycle of time and the renewal of seasons. People in the highlands of Peru still regard rainbows with reverence, seeing them as a conversation between Pachamama, Mother Earth, and Amaru, bringing prosperity and fertility. The image of Amaru is widely featured in textiles, ceramics, and other traditional art forms, serving as both a protective emblem and a prayer for abundant water and life.