Learn about the history and meaning of the Cusco flag

People who have had the opportunity to visit the Plaza de Armas of Cusco have observed that, in addition to the Peruvian flag, another one of seven colors flies. This is the one from the same city, which was created to be used in the Tahuantinsuyo. However, various investigations have revealed that the Inca empire did not have the concept of 'flag'. Next, we show you how what we know as the definitive Cusco emblem came to be. Everything is born for a local station In 1973, the well-known Radio Tahuantinsuyo celebrated its first 25 years of creation and that is how the announcer Raúl Montesinos Espejo designed what is currently known as the flag of Cusco, which presents the colors red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue and purple. Five years later, it was the same Municipality of Cusco that officially adopted the proposal. Everything happened within the framework of considering it, also, as the insignia of Tahuantinsuyo. The Cusco flag has a certain relationship with the rainbow, although its conception and idea starts from the symbology of some Andean towns from the time of the Incas.

A concept that ended up being a new idea

Montesinos Espejo was inspired by the wiphala (which means “emblem” in the Aymara language) in order to give life to the Cusco flag. It is a distinctive checkered type, which has 49 squares, each one painted with one of the colors of the rainbow. This was taken into account to give way to what is currently known as the flag of Cusco. It was not until the 21st century that there was a change, albeit slight, in the insignia of the city of Cusco. The Council of the Provincial Municipality, by means of an ordinance, modified it and included the sun of Echenique in the flag (central part). What is Echenique's sun? Considered Cultural Heritage of Peru, it is an ornament used in pre-Inca times that the person who wore it wore.

What do the colors of the Tahuantinsuyo flag mean?

It is important to specify how this flag was created and why it represents this Peruvian territory. It is known that in 1973, a popular radio called Tahuantinsuyo was celebrating its first 25 years of foundation. In the midst of these festivities, the announcer Raúl Montesinos Espejo appeared with the idea of a design for a flag, which had seven colors. The choice of shades is related to the rainbow. For the year 1978, the Municipality of Cusco officially adopted this creation. In addition, it was considered that this is also the insignia of the Inca empire. The conception of this project had a distinctive checkered type, which had 49 paintings, each one painted with one of the colors of the rainbow. A bill (No. 03675) presented in Congress makes the following description: "The seven-color flag with horizontal stripes was the sacred symbol of the Tawantinsuyo that unified the 4 suyos and was maintained until many years after the arrival of the Spaniards, demonstrating the identity and resistance of the indigenous peoples."

The flag of Cusco today

As far as the local community is concerned, for better or worse, many Peruvians are still unaware of the origin of the famous Cusco flag. Considering that there is currently no major controversy over the flag, the imperial city is still adorned with it. In addition, it has been chosen to give it the focus of what would be a modern representation of the Inca Empire. Likewise, due to its similarity, both travelers and locals come to confuse the Tahuantinsuyo flag with the LGBT flag (gay flag, rainbow flag, pride flag, diversity flag, etc.). Doubt also arises in this regard, since both flags saw the light at the same time. However, the meaning of the two is totally different, not to mention the light blue stripe of difference.

What is the difference between the Tahuantinsuyo flag and the LGBT flag?

Although a collective confusion can be generated by both flags, they are similar, but not the same. A main difference is the number of colors that each one has. The cusqueña has 7 and the one that represents the LGTB+ community has 6, without considering the light blue tone. The Tahuantinsuyo flag is an original design by the communicator Raúl Montesinos Espejo, while the gay community was represented by a creation by Gilbert Baker, an American activist and designer.

What is the Tahuantinsuyo flag?

According to the data that have allowed us to know the initial idea of the flag, it is indicated that it is to represent the government and democracy of Cusco, but that it has been associated with a great empire led by the Incas. Following the official publications made by the government, the use of both terms, both the Cusco flag and the Tahuantinsuyo flag, is acceptable.

What does the flag of the 4 Suyos mean?

This represents the Tahuantinsuyo as such. This name is made up of two Quechua words: “tahua” which means four, and “suyo” which means “region”. It is called this way because this territory was divided into four, which were called: Collasuyo to the southeast, Chinchaysuyo to the northwest, Antisuyo to the northeast, and Contisuyo to the west.

Best Trekking and Tours in Peru

Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Peru, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.

If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.