The Moche pantheon of gods and supernatural beings encompasses a number of monsters related to the origin myth and the central sun god, Ai Apaec, also known as Wrinkle Face, the Snake-belt God and the Decapitator.¹ The most popularly represented monster in the Moche culture is the moon animal, also called the moon monster, luna dog or crested animal. The moon animal is shown with human heads and, unlike some of the other monsters, does not appear to be in conflict with Ai-Apaec.

The origins of the monster stretch back to the Chavín culture, and while the mythical creature is also depicted in Recuay and Virú-Gallinazo art, there is no set form for portraying it. Elements of felines, foxes, dogs, snakes and birds can all be identified in renditions of the moon animal, often in numerous combinations. The creature is usually, but not always, shown crested. On both of these pottery vessels the monsters are capped with serrations.

Early representations of the moon animal took the form of effigy bottles, like those seen here. Later this imagery was adapted to the fine line drawings where the creature is shown with a crescent-shaped symbol, leading to its association with the moon, but which did not necessarily indicate any relationship with astronomy. Moon animals were often made in pairs and wooden versions have also recently been discovered.²

The black monster created from green pottery with white inlay (cat. 85) takes the form of a spotted canine with a white-fanged mouth, and is either a fox or a cat. Its ears point downwards at the back and curl slightly. So does the tail, but in the opposite direction. Inlay in the paws suggests claws. Most of the inlay is white mother-of-pearl, with a green stone for the eyes. The monster’s crests form a step pattern—a symbol of rank and another common feature on images of the moon animal.³

The white moon animal (cat. 86) has the paws of a cat, with claws clearly visible. Huge fangs seem to prop the animal’s mouth open, while a neat row of teeth are seen behind. Two splendid crested horns protrude from the back and front of the creature’s head. A combination of brown stripes and spots cover the body, which tapers into a curved serpent's or seahorse's tail.

Although these two stirrup-spouted bottles both date from the early Moche period and share certain characteristics, their forms are very different: the black version is angular in shape and more abstract in design than the white.

Simeran Maxwell

1. The last two names have been applied to two separate gods by some archaeologists. See Elizabeth P. Benson, The worlds of the Moche on the north coast of Peru, Austin: University of Texas Press 2012, p. 61.

2. Benson, p. 62.

3. Elizabeth P. Benson, cat. 34, in Kathleen Berrin (ed.), The spirit of ancient Peru:  Treasures from the Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera, London: Thames and Hudson 1997, p. 102.

The Moche pantheon of gods and supernatural beings encompasses a number of monsters related to the origin myth and the central sun god, Ai Apaec, also known as Wrinkle Face, the Snake-belt God and the Decapitator.¹ The most popularly represented monster in the Moche culture is the moon animal, also called the moon monster, luna dog or crested animal. The moon animal is shown with human heads and, unlike some of the other monsters, does not appear to be in conflict with Ai-Apaec.

The origins of the monster stretch back to the Chavín culture, and while the mythical creature is also depicted in Recuay and Virú-Gallinazo art, there is no set form for portraying it. Elements of felines, foxes, dogs, snakes and birds can all be identified in renditions of the moon animal, often in numerous combinations. The creature is usually, but not always, shown crested. On both of these pottery vessels the monsters are capped with serrations.

Early representations of the moon animal took the form of effigy bottles, like those seen here. Later this imagery was adapted to the fine line drawings where the creature is shown with a crescent-shaped symbol, leading to its association with the moon, but which did not necessarily indicate any relationship with astronomy. Moon animals were often made in pairs and wooden versions have also recently been discovered.²

The black monster created from green pottery with white inlay (cat. 85) takes the form of a spotted canine with a white-fanged mouth, and is either a fox or a cat. Its ears point downwards at the back and curl slightly. So does the tail, but in the opposite direction. Inlay in the paws suggests claws. Most of the inlay is white mother-of-pearl, with a green stone for the eyes. The monster’s crests form a step pattern—a symbol of rank and another common feature on images of the moon animal.³

The white moon animal (cat. 86) has the paws of a cat, with claws clearly visible. Huge fangs seem to prop the animal’s mouth open, while a neat row of teeth are seen behind. Two splendid crested horns protrude from the back and front of the creature’s head. A combination of brown stripes and spots cover the body, which tapers into a curved serpent's or seahorse's tail.

Although these two stirrup-spouted bottles both date from the early Moche period and share certain characteristics, their forms are very different: the black version is angular in shape and more abstract in design than the white.

Simeran Maxwell

1. The last two names have been applied to two separate gods by some archaeologists. See Elizabeth P. Benson, The worlds of the Moche on the north coast of Peru, Austin: University of Texas Press 2012, p. 61.

2. Benson, p. 62.

3. Elizabeth P. Benson, cat. 34, in Kathleen Berrin (ed.), The spirit of ancient Peru:  Treasures from the Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera, London: Thames and Hudson 1997, p. 102.