The aim of this paper is to evaluate the role of Lady of Guadalupe in the history and culture of Mexico. She has been seen as one of the most influencing historical characters along with a deeply religious significance attached to her identity. She is a very interesting character along with La Malinche, she is a symbol of the most powerful female icons as well. In this paper, the significance of Lady of Guadalupe will have to be addressed to find out her importance as a female character.
It must be assumed that she has a strong character and extremely important for the historical context of the country. She has some religious connotations and national significance as well.[1] Apart from that the most crucial fact for her character is her as a symbol for empowerment of Mexican-American women. It was a time that the society was entirely patriarchal and females did not have any importance in the society. They were completely dominated. In this scenario, her representation is of some significance. She is also called the Virgin of Guadalupe and thus connecting her existence with that of Virgin Mary. This evaluation is needed to emphasize her place in the history.
As per the traditional facts, it has been assumed that Virgin Mary once appeared to Juan Diego who was an Aztec but he was later converted to Christianity. It was in the month of December in 1531. Virgin Mary made a request to Juan that he should built a shrine for her at the very place where she had appeared. It was a place in the Mexico City when the areas were much smaller and the shrine was built there. This was followed by some supernatural practices that can also be regarded as apparitions. In the later centuries, the image of Lady of Guadalupe had been moved to New Basilica from the old one. After this removal of the image, Abbot Schulenburg made a thorough examination of the image by experts of art.[2] This image was drawn by Juan Diego and it was worshipped by all people in Mexico. This means that there have been many instances of religious connotations of Lady of Guadalupe. Juan Diego had been beatified on 6th May of the year 1990. Two miracles took place that worked very smoothly for the process of further canonization. This legacy of Lady of Guadalupe had continued for more than 500 years. The society of Mexico was very much influenced by this appearance of Lady of Guadalupe as an image of Virgin Mary. It seems that this image was the reason as to why religious attributes cannot be taken out of Lady of Guadalupe.
The appearance of Virgin Mary on the hill of Tepeyac was the beginning of the legacy of Lady of Guadalupe. Her image has politically influenced the people as well. This image has also been very much evident in United States in 20th and 21st century as well. Thus the influence of Lady of Guadalupe in the context of Mexican-American society has been immense. Gender biasness had been very much evident in the contemporary Mexican-American culture. Therefore, this image of Lady of Guadalupe gave confidence to women of the society to speak up and get their rights. There have been numerous instances where her image has been regarded as one of the most influential one in all America. The controversies went viral all around the world when a taxi driver exclaimed his view that Lady of Guadalupe is the patron saint all over America. Therefore, people have revered her all through the world. The image of Lady of Guadalupe has stood as a symbol of struggle for women in the society of Mexico since women wanted to gain their rights. Lady of Guadalupe is the central symbol of Mexican and American unity all over the world. Apart from her religious influence, her political influence should be acknowledged properly as well. There was a massive struggle between the federalists and centralists on dominating the country. Thus the factor had been going on and only constant amidst this was her image.[3] All Mexicans believed in her image and this was the only thing that could unite Mexico. The Mexican settlers in the southwest regions brought the devotion to Guadalupe with them so unity could be restored in this region. Therefore, it was quite possible that her image could only be taken as a motivating factor for every Mexican. Religious connotations had been quite significant in this issue since she became an object of worship. The name of Guadalupe is evident in some sections since Guadalupe- Hidalgo treaty had ended the war between America and Mexico in the year 1848.[4] The society of Mexico was mainly a patriarchal one and women wanted to gain freedom from domination of men from the inspiration given by the image of Lafy Guadalupe.
The subversion of gender roles is indeed very much crucial for understanding the role of women. Few terms could be associated to girls or women in the contemporary Mexico. These are weak, sensitive, innocent, defenseless and little. Therefore, it is quite evident that the image of Guadalupe has been of gigantic importance. She has gone beyond her role of religious connotations and this has placed her at a position where the girls and women could feel motivated by her. The thematic implications have been overlooked in this section as well. Her emergence as the savior is very crucial for them. They have been highly motivated and influenced by her image. Her influence has been felt in the daily lives of all women. They gained confidence that they could also participate in the systems of society. The matter of liberation and empowerment among women has been taken as the central theme for the success of women in the society.[5]
The indigenous people of the Catholic Rome could recognize the Biblical interpretations when they saw the image of Guadalupe. Lady of Guadalupe had been declared as the ‘Empress of the Americans’ in the year 1945 by Pope Pius XXII. The date was 12th of December. Thus it was very clear that she was becoming the patron saint of Mexico. Through these incidents, it is very clear that she was becoming a cultural symbol than a religious symbol in the country. Some critics have explored that her recognition as virgin can also be interpreted in a manner that she had not been touched by a male and did not become a victim of patriarchal dominance. This is somewhat different from the religious and Biblical interpretations. She has been shown as a representative of people who does not have power in the society and are dominated by others.[6] In fact, it is quite important to note that she will continue to be one of the most influential figures in the history of Mexico as long as economic and political inequalities will exist. Her image as the unifying figure of country’s downtrodden people will always be portrayed as something significant.[7]
Her influence in religious sphere was something of a kind, but for her assertive influence in the society of minorities and the helpless.[8] The women in the society have always been oppressed and gender biasness has pervaded. So, her portrayal as a strong lady will always be taken as a important in certain cases. People have to remember that Lady of Guadalupe is the ultimate mother of Mexico.[9] This is why she has always been there to protect her children i.e. inferior and helpless people in the country, just like a mother does. Her motherhood is the strongest influence she has on the children of the country. As everyone loves their mother, she is also revered and respected throughout the state. Even political powers like federalists and centralists have not been daring enough to indulge in struggle for power centering her. Therefore, she is the only constant in the country. Historical records have also suggested that her affection is mainly for Mexicans and all Mexican-Americans.[10]
The Mexican-Americans are people who are by birth Mexican but they have settled to America to earn their livelihood or for some other reasons. Thus cultures might be different but Lady of Guadalupe has always been there as their protector and guiding star. Critics have said that the Mexican people depend largely on the blessings of her. Her influence and popularity will surely continue to grow with the growth of these people. They have also added that her maternal care and affection is very much needed to these people since they are very much helpless. This is quite relevant in the scenario of social structure. The quality of Lady of Guadalupe is very much contemplative.[11] Philosophical interpretations have been added to this perspective along with historical ones. The experts of art have also praised the beauty of this image. They have brought out certain small elements of her existence. These are her beautiful garments and scent of roses.[12] So, apart from religious connotation regarding Guadalupe, her maternal attributes are very much significant as well. People might see her as an image with silence but others have viewed her as someone who can motivate her children and speak up for their rights. The role of Lady of Guadalupe thus seems to be extremely significant in the history of Mexico and other countries belonging to Latin America for many centuries.[13]
Her name has also been used in certain cases when Miguel Hidalgo declared “Long Live the Virgin of Guadalupe” as he wanted the freedom for Mexico’s war for independence to begin in the year 1810. During the time of Mexican Revolution, Emiliano Zapata and other warriors took her image to the battlefield. She has also been viewed as the image of Mexican patriotism. Guerilla fighters of followers of Zapatista activists have also carried on her image to battle as this motivates them. In the United States, she has been looked upon as the social justice icon. Her image has been respected by everyone like Cesar Chavez in 1970s and activists of immigration reform in the 2000s.[14] Her image has always been used as a social justice symbol. Therefore, it has been one of her best prototypes. She has served her role as the protector of every person suffering from poverty. These poor and marginalized people have great regard for her. In the modern world, she bears an image for the people who have always thrived to stand against oppression and declare boldly that they are independent.[15] In the communities of Mexican-American people, she has been portrayed in calendars and murals apart from walls of churches. The power of her image is always very strong enough for people belonging to minority section.[16]
In the concluding section, it should be said that Lady of Guadalupe is one of the central figures in the history of Mexico. Religious entities have been ascribed to her identity but her overall influence is much wider than narrowness of religiosity. She has been looked upon as the most crucial figure in the Mexican history. The history of Mexico and America has acknowledged the place of Lady of Guadalupe because of her immense potential to influence people. Her existence through the lens of different critics is regarded as very crucial. It is not right to bind her influence within the territories of religion only. Her presence has been very much evident in the history of United States of America as well. Apart from that, the author of the book has also declared that Mexican-Americans and Latin people will never be knocked down since they have Lady of Guadalupe. This is how she is the guiding power for all those people whom she represents. She will protect their existence and their culture.
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[1] Castañeda-Liles, María Del Socorro. Our lady of everyday life: La Virgen de Guadalupe and the Catholic imagination of Mexican women in America. Oxford University Press, 2018.
[2] Matovina, Timothy. “The origins of the Guadalupe tradition in Mexico.” The Catholic Historical Review 100, no. 2 (2014): 243-270.
[3] [3] Matovina, Timothy. “The origins of the Guadalupe tradition in Mexico.” The Catholic Historical Review 100, no. 2 (2014): 243-270.
[5] Poole, Stafford. Our Lady of Guadalupe: The Origins and Sources of a Mexican National Symbol, 1531–1797. University of Arizona Press, 2017. 134-156
[6] Hernández, Marie-Theresa. The virgin of Guadalupe and the conversos: Uncovering hidden influences from Spain to Mexico. Rutgers University Press, 2014.
[7] [7] Poole, Stafford. “History versus Juan Diego.” The Americas62, no. 1 (2005): 44-58.
[8] Cline, Sarah. “Guadalupe and the Castas: The Power of a Singular Colonial Mexican Painting.” Mexican Studies/Estudios Mexicanos 31, no. 2 (2015): 218-247.
[9] Hernández, Marie-Theresa. The virgin of Guadalupe and the conversos: Uncovering hidden influences from Spain to Mexico. Rutgers University Press, 2014.
[10] Poole, Stafford. “History versus Juan Diego.” The Americas62, no. 1 (2005): 44-58.
[11] Cline, Sarah. “Guadalupe and the Castas: The Power of a Singular Colonial Mexican Painting.” Mexican Studies/Estudios Mexicanos 31, no. 2 (2015): 218-247.
[12] Rodriguez, Jeanette. Our lady of Guadalupe: Faith and empowerment among Mexican-American women. University of Texas Press, 2010.
[13] Taylor, William B. “Placing the cross in colonial Mexico.” The Americas 69, no. 2 (2012): 145-178.
[14] McHenry, John Patrick. A Short History of Mexico. Pickle Partners Publishing, 2018.
[15] Kroger, Joseph, and Patrizia Granziera. Aztec goddesses and Christian Madonnas: images of the divine feminine in Mexico. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2012.
[16] Valeriano, Antonio, and Mario Rojas Sánchez. Nican mopohua. Imprenta Ideal, 1978.
