| The Virgin
of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Americas, is the symbolic mother of Mexicans
everywhere, the symbol of Mexican identity, history, and culture. The image
of the Virgin, Nuestra Seņora de Guadalupe, is more than an image. The portrait
is a history lesson since the design on the Virgin's dress point to the
geography of Mexico and to Nahuatl (Aztec/Mexica) deities. The symbols also
reveal part of the message of the Virgin to Juan Diego, the Nahuatl artisan
who saw the Virgin. The symbols held a special meaning for the indigenous
people of Mexico due to their tradition of this type of writing:
- The
mantle is blue-green, the color reserved for Ometecuhti/Onecihuatl
who are the divine couple considered the creator and unifying
force of all creation. The mantle is covered with stars and these
reflect the eras of this civilization and the relationship to
Ometeotl the god of all duality.
- The
dress or robe is red with symbolic "writings" that tell a story
to the Nahuatl people.
- The
belt worn by the Virgin is a maternity band, explaining expectant
birth or new expectations.
- The
virgin is stepping on the moon, indicating greater importance
in relation to the sister of the sun, Coyolxauhqui.
- The
golden rays of the sun point to the presence of the "sun" god,
Quetzalcoatl.
- The
angel who "carries" the Virgin is perceived as the symbol for
a new beginning, and also denotes Nahuatl nobility since royalty
were carried.
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