Daisy Lopez

January 23, 2012

Women and Culture

The Virgin of Guadalupe has been an important image in Mexico’s struggle for freedom and is a patriotic symbol. Revolutionaries, for example Zapata, he would always carry the Virgins image when they would go into battle. She is present in all aspects of Mexican life. Some places like truck stops, bus stations, and automobile garages, there are pictures and shrines to the Virgin where people can pray to her. In many churches and shrines, instead of the crucifix there are images of the Virgin. The Virgin can be found on t-shirts, calendars, towels, tattoos, cups, and even in bank checks. The icon is displayed in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of the most visited Marian shrines. The icon is Mexico’s most popular religious and cultural image, considering that she is the Queen of Mexico. Nuesetra Señora de Guadalupe is recognized as a symbol of all Catholic Mexicans, symbolic mother of the Mexicans everywhere, the symbol of Mexican identity, history, and culture. The image of La Virgin de Guadalupe is not just an image. The portrait is a history lesson since the design on the Virgins dress, it points of the geography of Mexico. The symbols also reveal part of the message of the Virgin to Juan Diego. The symbols hold a special meaning for the indigenous people of Mexico due to their tradition. The first symbol would be the dress or robe is red with symbolic writings that tell a story to the Nahuatl people. The second symbolic part of the Virgin is the belt that is worn by the Virgin is a maternity band, which describes the expectant birth or new expectations. Another is the Virgin stepping out of the moon this shows a great importance in relation to the sister of the sun. The golden rays of the sun point to the presence of the “sun” god. Lastly is the angel who carries the Virgin is looked at like the symbol for a new beginning, and also represents the symbol for a new beginning and nobility. Many Mexicans claim many miraculous and supernatural things that help them throughout their daily life. They pray to her when a family member is really sick or when someone is going through a tough time in their life. In the Mexican news there has been the apparition of the Virgin of Guadalupe in some of the villages. When that happens many Mexicans belief that something good is going to happen in their life or that someone in their life is going to get better. She is known to cure people who are sick and make wonderful miracles. Many people who cross the border carry an image of her in the hope of surviving walking the hot deserts and getting to the other side safe and sound. The Virgin has appeared in numerous places such as on tree branches, inside of families’ homes, and crazy