The Story
The story behind the tilma, which is the most important part of the Basilica, takes place in 1531 in Mexico. A man named Juan Diego, who was a Native American who had been converted to Catholicism, met a woman on the way to Mass. She was dressed as an Aztec princess and she told him that she was Mary, mother of Jesus. She also told him that she wanted a church built to her on the spot. He went to the bishop, who didn’t believe him, and asked for a sign, so he had to go back home. When he came home, he found out that his uncle was very sick. The next Sunday, he walked quickly and went around the spot he had seen Mary because he was afraid that she would slow him down. His uncle was sick and he wanted to get help as soon as possible. However, she met him anyway and told him that his uncle was all right, and to go and ask the bishop again. He did this, and the bishop refused again, asking for a sign. However, when he went home, his uncle was much better. The next week, Juan Diego went directly to that spot and she sent him to gather roses, in a place she directed him to. Although it was the middle of the winter, miraculously, there were roses. He brought them back to her and she arranged them in his tilma and sent him off, with instructions to show them to the archbishop. He went to the archbishop again with his case. Again, the archbishop refused to listen without a sign. Then Juan Diego let the roses fall out of the tilma. On the tilma was an image of Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe. The archbishop immediately agreed to build the church, which Juan Diego cared for the rest of his life. The tilma was displayed there.
Religious Significance
The Basilica, and the tilma it houses, is an important symbol of faith in the Americas, especially Mexico. It is a Roman Catholic Church; the classification means that it has been honored by the Pope. Basilica is a title granted to relatively few churches; it is granted for religious significance.
The tilma is a symbol of indigenous rights as Our Lady of Guadalupe has dark skin and is dressed as an Aztec princess, rather than wearing Spanish clothing and having light skin, like many religious icons. Because of its use as a symbol of this, it many people have tried to destroy it. Once, a factory worker placed a bomb near it. The bomb shattered nearby windows and even melted a nearby brass crucifix, yet the tilma was unharmed. Some considers this symbolic: Jesus (the crucifix) was destroyed in protecting his mother (the tilma). Because of the general symbolism behind the tilma, it has become a popular icon.
The tilma, because of the miracle associated with it, has become the subject of much skepticism and research. Textile experts, upon examination, are surprised because the cloth has not disintegrated even after even with humidity, dust, heat, and a bomb. In fact, a replica made from similar material was placed in a glass case, where it lasted only eight years, though the original had lasted centuries in open air. Also, parts of the image appear to be painted in one stroke, without paintbrush marks or sketches. Also, after enlarging an image of the eyes of the icon, there was an image of Franciscans and Native Americans holding hands. Some other studies, however, indicate that the paint was made with materials and methods similar to those used at the time and assert that a human created this, possibly a notable Native American artist at the times. The reflections in the eyes have also been disputed. However, faith and devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe have not wavered.
The tilma is a symbol of indigenous rights as Our Lady of Guadalupe has dark skin and is dressed as an Aztec princess, rather than wearing Spanish clothing and having light skin, like many religious icons. Because of its use as a symbol of this, it many people have tried to destroy it. Once, a factory worker placed a bomb near it. The bomb shattered nearby windows and even melted a nearby brass crucifix, yet the tilma was unharmed. Some considers this symbolic: Jesus (the crucifix) was destroyed in protecting his mother (the tilma). Because of the general symbolism behind the tilma, it has become a popular icon.
The tilma, because of the miracle associated with it, has become the subject of much skepticism and research. Textile experts, upon examination, are surprised because the cloth has not disintegrated even after even with humidity, dust, heat, and a bomb. In fact, a replica made from similar material was placed in a glass case, where it lasted only eight years, though the original had lasted centuries in open air. Also, parts of the image appear to be painted in one stroke, without paintbrush marks or sketches. Also, after enlarging an image of the eyes of the icon, there was an image of Franciscans and Native Americans holding hands. Some other studies, however, indicate that the paint was made with materials and methods similar to those used at the time and assert that a human created this, possibly a notable Native American artist at the times. The reflections in the eyes have also been disputed. However, faith and devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe have not wavered.
Artwork: The Tilma and How it is Interpreted in Historical Context
One major piece of artwork is the tilma that shows Our Lady of Guadalupe, a form of Mary, mother of Jesus. The artwork was supposedly created through a miracle. The artwork is has been interpreted as a symbol of indigenous rights because Mary is wearing the garments of an Aztec princess. Our lady of Guadalupe also has darker skin similar to that of a "mestizo". This term referred to a class of people of both Native American and European descent. This class made up a large portion of the population in Spanish colonies. Because of strict laws at the time, mestizos were oppressed and almost never held government posts. Also, most artwork at the time portrayed saints as European, so to have the mother of Jesus portrayed as dark-skinned was a very powerful symbol. This has all contributed to the Our Lady of Guadalupe's popularity as an icon.
The artwork itself is painted with pine soot, reds from carmine, and blues, greens and whites made from soil. These are consistent with practices at the time; some believe that it made by an Aztec painter named Marcos Cipac de Aquino. The painting depicts Mary, mother of Jesus on clouds held by angels and stands on on a crescent. She wears a blue and gold cloak and light appears to shine from behind her. Her hands are folded in prayer and she i
The artwork itself is painted with pine soot, reds from carmine, and blues, greens and whites made from soil. These are consistent with practices at the time; some believe that it made by an Aztec painter named Marcos Cipac de Aquino. The painting depicts Mary, mother of Jesus on clouds held by angels and stands on on a crescent. She wears a blue and gold cloak and light appears to shine from behind her. Her hands are folded in prayer and she i