When Mountains Echo
This summer, in Peru, we visited the 15th century Inca civilization, Machu Picchu, nestled between three sacred mountains - Mount Yanantin, Huayna Picchu on the north, and the namesake mountain, Machu Picchu, on the south.
The Quechua people, the descendants of the Inca, still pray to these holy mountains, a fact that was confirmed several times by our Quechua guide as he led us through the ruins.
“The Inca evoked the name of the mountains,” Antonio said, “and the name of Pacha Mama (Mother Earth). When the Spanish came, they simply added the name of Mary.”
Antonio explained how the Inca would seek the help of the mountains for good favor on their crops. For their families. And protection from enemies.
Yesterday I talked of mystery.
I wrote of the questions that still remain even though Machu Picchu has been studied for 100 years. There are no historical documents to answer these questions. Archeologists have to read the stones, artifacts and mummies left by the Inca to find the answers.
The stones and stone carvings are a testimony to scientists of the reverence the Inca had for the mountains of Machu Picchu. The stones are carved to pattern, or mimic the mountains that surround the civilization.
These stones are called Image Stones or Echo Stones. Below are several examples.
First, a sculpture, an image stone, representing Mount Yanantin and Mount Putucusi, seen in the background.
Second, an image stone echoing the Mountain, Huayna Picchu.
Third, the Sacred Rock, a 25-foot long sculpture, represents Mount Yanantin in the distance.
Last, the Intiwatana Stone, located at the pinnacle of a natural pyramid, replicates Huayna Picchu in the background. Sometimes this stone is called, “the place to which the sun was tied.”
The stone points directly to the sun during winter solstice.
The Inca worshiped the mountains that surrounded Machu Picchu. The evidence can be seen in the carvings and sculptures they created.
Their art is an image of the mountains. An echo of the original.
But the Inca missed a step.
To where do the mountains point?
If the Incas’ art points to creation, where does creation point?
Creation itself is a great work of art and all works after it are echoes of the original – John Eldredge
All creatives do their best to depict an event, an image, a sound or a feeling using art, music, script, dance or drama. The stamp of the Image Bearer in each of us wants to be expressed using a variety of techniques.
Creation echoes a creator. Creation points to a master designer.
This is the second lesson of the mountains.
Lesson 2:
Mountains speak of a Mountain-Maker.
Today
on your journey of faith,
look at what you are creating
and ask,
Where is the echo?
Lord, you have been our refuge through all generations.
Before the mountains were born,
the earth and the world brought forth,
from eternity to eternity, you are God. - Psalm 90:1-2
Who else has held the oceans in his hand?
Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers?
Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale? - Isaiah 40:12