Moon Temple (Chía)

The Moon Temple of Chía was a temple constructed by the Muisca as a place of worship for their Moon goddess Chía. The temple was built in Chía, Cundinamarca, Colombia, then part of the Muisca Confederation. It was one of the most important temples in the religion of the Muisca.^[2][3] The temple was destroyed during the Spanish conquest of the Muisca on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense. Little is known about the temple built on the Tíquiza Hill in western Chía bordering Tabio.^[4]

Moon Temple

Chía rising over the Bogotá savanna
Location within Colombia
Location	Chía, Cundinamarca
Region	Bogotá savanna Altiplano Cundiboyacense,  Colombia
Coordinates	4°52′11.76″N 74°05′14.30″W
Altitude	2,636 m (8,648 ft)[1]
Type	Temple
Part of	Muisca sites
History
Abandoned	Spanish conquest
Periods	Late Muisca
Cultures	Muisca
Satellite of	Bacatá
Site notes
Condition	Destroyed

Structure and worship

Coat of arms of Chía; City of the Moon

The Temple of the Moon was built on the Tíquiza Hill west of the urban centre of Chía. The Muisca had an advanced knowledge of astronomy and constructed various sites across their territories. El Infiernito, just outside Villa de Leyva has survived, while the Sun Temple of Sugamuxi has been reconstructed. Just like the Sun Temple, the Moon temple was constructed according to the positions of the respective celestial body.^[5]

At the temple rituals were organised by the caciques and zipas of the Muisca Confederation. The caciques and priests at the Moon Temple wore white robes, different from those at the Sun Temple that were red.^[4] The Moon Temple not only formed a place of worship, also education to the new caciques and Muisca rulers was provided near the temple (Seminario de la Cuca).^[5][6][7]

Other Moon temples in the world

• Pyramid of the Moon - Aztec religion
• San Gervasio - Maya religion
• Temple of the Moon - Inca religion
• Temple of the Moon - China
• Somnath - Hinduism

See also

• Muisca religion
• Chía - goddess of the Moon of the Muisca
• Sun Temple, Cojines del Zaque, Piedras del Tunjo