Wiphala

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards.
Please discuss this issue on the talk page or replace this tag with a more specific message.
This article has been tagged since December 2005.

Wiphala: Banner of the Inca Empire

Wiphala of the Qullan Suyu.

Kuntin Suyu

Antin Suyu

Chinchay Suyu

Tupac Katari

Antin Suyu (alternate)

Tupac Katari (alternate)

The Wiphala [wiˈp^hala] is a square emblem, commonly used as a flag, representing the native peoples of the central Andes and Bolivian Amazon region of South America. It exists in several varieties, which represent the Inca Empire (Tawantinsuyu) and each of its four regions (suyus).

The Tawantinsuyu flag consists of seven horizontal stripes representing the colours of the rainbow.

The Collasuyu flag is composed of a 7-by-7 square patchwork in seven colours, arranged diagonally. The colour of the longest diagonal line (seven squares) determines which of the four suyus (regions) the flag represents: white for Qullasuyu, yellow for Kuntisuyu, red for Chinchaysuyu, and green for Antisuyu. There is also an alternate pattern for the Wiphala for Antinsuyu. Additionally a Wiphala also exists for Tupac Katari and the Tupac Katari Guerrilla Army.

The seven colours of the Wiphala originate from the visible spectrum (see rainbow flag for other realizations). The significance and meanings for each colour are as follows:

Red: The Earth and the Andean man
Orange: Society and culture
Yellow: Energy
White: Time
Green: Natural resources
Blue: The heavens
Violet: Andean government and self-determination

President of Bolivia Evo Morales has expressed his intention to incorporate elements of the Wiphala into the Flag of Bolivia. The precise configuration depends on the particular suyu represented by the emblem.