Week 5: La Virgen De Guadalupe

I am not Chicanx nor Latinx, but I did grow up in LA/Long Beach California, so I have lots of familiarity surrounding La Virgen De Guadalupe. I mainly remember seeing her image outside of Latin owned liquor and grocery stores around the area. I didn’t grow up religious either, so I didn’t have any knowledge of what La Virgen stood for in a spiritual sense. I do remember feeling a sense of comfort whenever I saw her image, however. It always reminded me of home. I felt safe whenever seeing her image plastered on the side of buildings, as it made me feel like I wasn’t too far away from my home and family.

            In addition to the murals of La Virgen on the side of buildings, I also recall having 

Chicana friends in middle school and high school that had necklace pendants with La Virgens image surrounded by a rectangular outline. I remember thinking that the necklaces were beautiful, and I almost felt a little outcast, because I wasn’t a part of the Virgen De Guadalupe necklace club. Looking back on that feeling with the knowledge I have of Guadalupes symbolism now feels quite childish.

            All in all, I think La Virgen de Guadalupe has a beautiful significance to her, one that transcends across cultures. To the Chicanx and Latinx public, it may be a symbolism of spirituality and patriotism. To others who grew up in a Chicanx prominent neighborhood like myself, although her symbolism didn’t have any religious significance to me, she always made me feel safe and at home.