Sun / Sol de Mayo / Silver 18 carat gold plated
The 32 flaming and straight rays of the Inca sun are delicately cut out in this pendant. The edge frames the image of the sun as a supporting frame, giving it great strength and emphasizing its radiance thanks to the minimal points of contact.
The origin of the coin and thus also its name Sol de Mayo has its origins in the revolution for independence from Spain in May 1810. In 1813, the Sol de Mayo was the first Argentinian coin to be minted with this motif. It can also be found on the Argentinian national flag.
However, the actual origin of the sun motif with the 16 flaming and 16 straight rays lies in Inca mythology. This also explains the alternative name of the image: Inca sun.
The symbol of the Inca sun has been used to represent the sun god Inti since the beginning of the 15th century. According to myth, his son founded the city of Cusco on earth and thus heralded the beginning of the Inca Empire. The idea of the Incas being sons of the sun stems from this myth.
The sun god was honored with the Inti Raymi festival, the most important Inca celebration. This took place annually on June 21, the day of the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere. It was both a thanksgiving for the past year and a request for the sun's protection for the coming year. This was particularly important for the seeds that were to be sown soon afterwards in order to preserve the livelihood of the Inca people.
Pendant
The Sol de Mayo pendant, with its long-standing mythical symbolism, stands for warmth and energy. It is also an image of the power of life that the sun gives us.
