The Virgin of Guadalupe

Now I'm going to tell you about a relevant figure in Mexican culture, The Virgin of Guadalupe, which plays a significant role in everyday life of Mexico: we can see her on the streets, in houses, in cars, just everywhere! Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Patron Saint of America, and especially of Mexico. Her face looks Indian, which is why she is named Morenita. This name refers to the Spanish word 'moreno' that states for dark skin and hair. The figure of Juan Diego on his knees, the Aztec who had a relevation, can be seen in her eyes. 

According to the legend, Our Lady of Guadalupe asked Juan Diego for building a temple in her honor on Tepeyac Hill where she revealed to him. The Indian decided to seek Juan de Zumárraga, the archbishop of Mexico City, to tell him what had happend. The archbishop ordered him to go back to Tepeyac Hill, and ask the Lady for a miraculous sign that would prove the revelation. The Virgin told Juan to pick flowers from the top of Tepeyac Hill, which was normally infertile, especially in December. Juan followed her instructions and found the flowers that released a type of roses which didn´t exist in Mexico. The Virgin arranged the roses in his tilma (agave cloth) and when Juan Diego opened it before archbishop Zumárraga, the flowers fell to the floor, and there was the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe on Juan’s clothing.

There is a cultural syncretism between two religions: Aztec and Christian. There is a connection between the Aztec goodness of the Earth named Tonantzin which means "our mother" and the worship of the Lady of Guadalupe. Her temple was situated on the very same Hill of Tepeyac where nowadays is located the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, which constitute the greatest sanctuary in the world. The last time when the revelation to Juan Diego took place was on December 12th, 1531, which has become a feas day in the Catholic Church.