America Chumpitaz and Professor Adrian Pulfer, Graphic Design

The legends of the white God surrounded me as I was growing up. In school I learned in Peruvian History class that more than a legend or a myth is a story that it is passed from generation to generation. The White God or Viracocha, , Kukulkan, Quetzalcoatl and Gucumatz according to the people is a real God that lived among them many years ago. He healed the sick, walked on waters and taught them principles of love and peace.

Viracocha, the God of the Incas, literally means foam of the sea. He was the Creator God that rose form Lake Titicaca. He was represented as wearing the sun for a crown with thunderbolts in his hands. The sun is the symbol of light and wisdom, the giver of life. He was a scientist, an architect, a sculptor, an engineer, a teacher and a healer. He performed great miracles by the mere use of his words.

Quetzalcoatl, the God of the Aztecs. He was the Lord of Intelligence. He was described as a tall fair-skinned, fair-haired man, with a beard. It was told He wore long robes and his message was one of love. He promised his people that he will return one day from the East. The Aztecs awaited the coming of the feathered serpent God. This announcement of the cyclical return every 52 years coincided with the arrival of Hernan Cortez in 1519. Hence, Hernan Cortez and his army were received as Gods.The Spaniards came from the direction that Quetzalcoatl had said. The Spaniards filled the requirements from His prophesies. The people thought that the Spaniards were the fulfillment of the promise of their God’s return.

Kukulkan, the God of the Mayan. He was the founder of all empires in ancient America. He came from heaven to earth and it was represented as a feathered serpent in all the ruins of Mexico’s archaeological sites. Half man and half god. The quetzal bird representing heaven, the serpent representing earth. Also he was white-skinned and bearded. The god of life and divine wisdom. He brought love and prohibited rituals of sacrifice and blood. He also had the power to heal and bring the dead back to life. He also promised his followers that he would return.

Gucumatz: the God of the Guatemalans, it means “feathered serpent”. He created earth and humanity. He taught the people He visited in the areas of Guatemala about agriculture. He ruled over the four elements: fire, earth, air and water. He was a culture hero and taught the Toltecs about art, fishing and medicine. He came from an ocean and he left the same way.

The Aztecs, Mayans and Incas share abundant knowledge. They were advanced in architecture, calendars and art even superior to the ones found in Europe. The white bearded God they say is responsible for teaching them this knowledge. There are many theories, books and studies made that speculate this God: Wiracoccha, Quetzaltcoalt, Kukulkan and Gucumatz were the same God who came from heaven. Through graphics, we can see the resemblance in symbolism that this God came from the sky and had power and compassion. The promised of his return has not been fulfilled yet. The promise of the bearded God coming from the East is still awaited in the people of the Americas, and also by many religious people from all over the world. about art, fishing and medicine. He came from an ocean and he left the same way.