These earrings are inspired by the chakana as well as my own family. The chakana itself holds so so much knowledge about Andean cosmovision, it’s a representation of sky and earth, sun and moon, north and south, amongst so many other things. It also symbolizes the three realms the hanan pacha, kay pacha, and uku pacha, the world above us, physical world, and the spirit world.

When designing this piece I wanted the kay pacha (the white center piece) to have a little part of myself, but I got stuck. Between conversations with my mom, we talked about how my grandpa was a weaver and how he created many designs on his loom. We worked together to recreate a similar design that my mom saw growing up, it’s a design that my grandpa must’ve used in sweaters, amongst other stuff. It also made me think that although he isn’t physically in the Kay Pacha a part of him is here through this creation.

Kichwa Designed in Lenapehoking

• Designed by Adina Farinango

• Materials: Iridesent Acylic, 925 Silver finishings

• Light-weight

• L: 2.5in W: 1.5in