Breathe
By Gabriela Gorab
Every December 12, millions of Mexicans and devotees around the world celebrate the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, an icon of national identity and spirituality. However, in recent years, a lesser known but deeply symbolic invocation has gained ground among believers: the Virgin Desatanudos, whose devotion is strongly reflected in her sanctuary in Cancun. What unites these two Marian figures, and how do they differ?
Both invocations have their origin in the veneration of Mary, mother of Jesus, and share the purpose of offering comfort, guidance and hope. The Virgin of Guadalupe appeared in 1531 to Juan Diego on the hill of Tepeyac, leaving a miraculous image that became a symbol of faith and cultural resistance in Mexico. On the other hand, the Virgen Desatanudos, although more recent in its popularity, traces its origin to the 18th century in Germany, inspired by a painting attributed to Johann Georg Melchior Schmidtner. Its message is clear: Mary unties the "knots" in our lives, those difficulties that bind us and prevent us from moving forward.
Similarities
Both titles stand out as refuges for the afflicted. The Virgin of Guadalupe welcomes millions who look to her as a loving mother, while the Virgen Desatanudos becomes a universal symbol for those who face complex and seemingly unsolvable problems. In Cancun, her shrine has grown as a place where the faithful, with ribbons representing their "knots", leave their worries in the Virgin's hands, a practice analogous to the mantle of petitions that the Guadeloupeans place in the Basilica of Guadalupe.
Differences
The Virgin of Guadalupe is deeply rooted in Mexican identity, representing the union of cultures and the syncretism between the indigenous and the Christian. Her mestizo image, surrounded by sunbeams and flowers, links her directly to the land and the Mexican people. On the other hand, the Virgen Desatanudos has a more universal and less contextual character, attracting believers of different nationalities and specific problems. Her representation, untying knots of a ribbon, is less cultural and more symbolic.
The sanctuary of the Virgen Desatanudos in Cancun
This place is an example of the growth of this devotion in Latin America. This space, although less known than the Basilica of Guadalupe, offers an intimate and intimate atmosphere, ideal for those seeking a more personal connection with the Virgin. The celebration of its day, every December 8, coincides with the feast of the Immaculate Conception, reinforcing its link with the purity and maternal power of Mary.
Art
Yolanda López, a prominent Chicana artist, is known for her groundbreaking series of the Virgin of Guadalupe, created in the late 1970s. In this series, López reinterprets the traditional image of the Virgin by depicting herself, her mother and grandmother in place of the original figure, challenging stereotypes of passivity associated with Mexican women. In one of the most iconic pieces, "Portrait of the Artist as the Virgin of Guadalupe," Lopez paints herself running in sneakers, holding a rattlesnake in one hand and the starry mantle in the other, symbolizing strength and autonomy. This work has become an icon of Chicano feminist art, highlighting the vitality and resilience of women in Mexican culture.
The opinions expressed are the responsibility of the authors and are absolutely independent of the position and editorial line of the company. Opinion 51.
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