As you travel through Peru, you might come across a few unexplainable silhouettes that catch your eye every now and then. I am almost certain that every single person that visits Peru has one Google search in common, ‘what are the bulls on top of the roofs for?’. Completely understandable! Well, these are, to cut straight to the point, a Peruvian symbol of protection and happiness for the families that reside there.
You might find these symbolic Pucara bulls being sold in most markets around Peru, however, I think that something with this much meaning and this much symbolism behind it should certainly be created by your own hand!
Toritos Bull origin
Like a large part of the high Andean traditions that continue to this day, the origin of the pucara bulls is the product of Andean and Spanish fusions, which began with the arrival of the Spaniards in Peru, strictly in this case in Puno, upon their arrival The Spaniards brought with them many animals, including the Spanish bull, which included it in an already existing festival “Payment to the Earth” where the bull was painted, decorated and saddled, and then put spicy on its nose in order to make them more brave, due to the bite the bull tried to lick his nose due to the great irritation that this caused him, in addition to having the characteristic curled tail of the brave bulls.
In those times there were several artisans in charge of making ceramics for the main Spanish authorities, one of the main communities that were famous for their artisans were the inhabitants of the community of Chepa Pucyo who were commissioned to reproduce this little bull in clay.
These bulls were commissioned throughout the time that the colony lasted and were presented at religious festivities for which the peasants adopted this symbol as protection, happiness and fertility, with the passing of time the chepa pucyo continued to make the bulls for many towns And then, why are they called Toritos de Pucara? The Chepa Pupuja belonged to the town of Checa, which was a small town with a limited number of inhabitants, for which the artisans had to take their work to a place where trade with good influx of people and that place was the railway station and this station was in Pucara for which the people who bought the bulls gave it the name of Toritos de Pucara which was the place where they bought.
How to put the "Toritos" in the House?
The bulls are placed on the roof of the houses, generally 2 bulls are placed, which represent the Andean duality, woman and man, male and female, father and mother; since the couple that is going to live in that house will be prosperous, healthy and always protected.
In the middle is a cross on the spiritual side with a staircase that means that throughout their lives the couple has to climb one more step every day, in other words, progress will make the bond between them stronger.
There is also the rooster that tells us that we must wake up early every day and work hard for our dreams as a couple, however, not everything in this life is effort and work, that is why there is the pitcher of “chicha” (beer of the Incas) which means the enjoyment of the couple as it represents the joys, the parties and the friendships that they will experience together.
Meaning of the Bulls of Pucará by color:
The bulls of Pucara each one of them has a unique meaning, however, each of the details of the bull of Pucara has a meaning, for example, the hole in the back represents fertilization. The handle represents the union of man and woman in marriage. The bull’s eyes symbolize staying alert to any situation in the world around us and self-observation.
In addition, the different details in the form of spirals that represent the turns that life takes, a belief that is based on the fact that everything that is given, comes back.
Protection and love at home.
Peace at home.
Protection against envy.
Joy and fun.
Economic prosperity, fertility and good health.
Trust, fidelity and friendship.
Protection for the family.
