Happy Virgin of Guadalupe Day! The Virg' is an important icon in Mexico, and combines indigenous traditions with Catholicism, making for rich, iconic stories, rituals and symbolism. It is said that she appeared in 1531 to Juan Diego on the hill of Tepeyac and that she spoke in the native language, Nahuatl.
There are ornate stories and believed representations of all of the bits you see in the Virgin of Guadalupe. Often at her feet are roses because roses appeared when she spoke with Juan Diego and she arranged them inside of his coat. Behind her are rays of light, and some believe they represent the spines of the maguey plant (used to make a powerful drink of pulque). This is the core of the story, but there are many, many variations and uses of her image. There's more information here and a whole lot of information here.
We celebrate The Virg' in our house for the appreciation of the rich Mexican culture, and as an opportunity to gather friends during the holidays and eat fantastic food like homemade posole and flan (oh you know there's a food post follow up to this, right?)! Happy Dia de Virgen de Guadalupe to you and yours.
7 comments:
Happy Day to you, too!
It was nice of her to speak in the local native language. Cool post. I learned something! ; D
I'm going out in a few minutes to drive to White Sands National Monument for the full moon and luminaria display. However, I want to go afterwards to take some photos of the matachines dancing for the virgin at Tortugus (it will go on all night). I have to say I'm intrigued by the virgin and have several "virgin things," but mostly as objects of art and not devotion. Is that wrong?
Yum, flan.
I'm so glad you posted this! I'm hosting Christmas Eve at my house this year and decided to have a Mexican Christmas Celebration, so this information will be very useful. I was going to make posole, but haven't found a good recipe, so I hope you post yours:)
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/12/face-of-the--10.html
Thanks for a great evening!
I didn't know. Your posts are soul food! And posole, even the mention of posole, can heal what ails you. Sounds perfect for you storm survivors.
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