Chía (goddess) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chía
Moon
Member of Muisca religion
Statue of Chía in Chía
Major cult center	Moon Temple, Chía
Planet	Moon
Region	Altiplano Cundiboyacense
Ethnic group	Muisca
Consort	Sué (Sun)
Greek equivalent	Selene
Roman equivalent	Luna
Norse equivalent	Máni
Slavic equivalent	Devana
Hinduism equivalent	Chandra

The goddess Chía was a very important deity in the Muisca religion. The Muisca people lived in what is now Colombia long before Europeans arrived. Her name comes from the Chibcha language and means "the one who is like the moon."

Chía was worshipped across many Muisca lands. She was seen as a special protector of the Zipa ruler. The Zipa governed the area where the city of Bogotá is today. The main place where Chía was worshipped was in or near the city of Chía, Cundinamarca. This city was named after the goddess herself.

Who Was Chía?

Chía was a central figure in the Muisca group of gods, known as their pantheon. She was often linked to the moon. The Muisca people believed she had many important roles.

The Moon Goddess

As the moon goddess, Chía was connected to the night sky. The moon was very important to the Muisca. It helped them track time and seasons. This was crucial for their farming and ceremonies.

Chía and the Muisca Rulers

Chía was seen as the special guardian of the Zipa ruler. The Zipa was a powerful leader of the Muisca people. This connection showed how important Chía was to their society and government. Her main place of worship, the Moon Temple, was in the city named after her.

How Chía Was Worshipped

The Muisca had special priests called chyquys. These priests were in charge of the sacred calendar. They led the ceremonies for the goddess Chía. During these ceremonies, people would offer valuable items. These offerings included beautiful gold pieces and ceramic artwork.

See also

In Spanish: Chía (mitología) para niños