
Indigenous Mexican Madonna, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Santa Ana Zegache, number 8

by Lorena Cassady
Title
Indigenous Mexican Madonna, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Santa Ana Zegache, number 8
Artist
Lorena Cassady
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, a man of Aztec descent who had converted to Christianity, on December 9, 1531. She asked Juan Diego to build a shrine on the spot where she had appeared, Tepeyac Hill, now in a suburb of Mexico City. The local bishop —an important church official—demanded that Juan Diego provide a sign that would
prove the Virgin Mary had really appeared to him before he would agree to build a church on the site. The Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego again on December 12 and miraculously showed him where to pick roses, even though it was winter, to take to the bishop as proof
that she had really appeared. Juan Diego collected the roses in his cloak, went before the bishop, and then opened his cloak to show him the roses. Dozens of roses fell to the floor and his cloak had a beautiful picture of the Virgin Mary inside. The bishop was stunned by the miracle and ordered that a church be built in her honor on Tepeyac Hill.
And of course this legend, mutually approved by both parties, greatly helped the indigenous population of Mexico to accept the religion of their conquerors and stand by while the Spaniards destroyed their ancient temples and use the pillaged stone to cover the sites with Catholic Churches and grand cathedrals. Even the gold filigree on the walls and ceilings was stolen from the Aztecs or taken out of the ground of Oaxaca.
AI says:
A religious statue, adorned with a halo of golden rays, stands on an ornate altar surrounded by vibrant bouquets of flowers and framed images. Religious icons and artwork form the backdrop, adding depth and context to the scene.a
Uploaded
August 1st, 2024
Embed
Share