I did buy one thing at the festival. This is a milagro cross. Milagro means a miraculous surprise. Remember the Robert Redford movie The Milagro Beanfield War? That title was in reference to the miraculous greening of a long fallow bean field.
The custom of collecting tiny metal votive figures and attaching them to a cross or a statue of a saint is Hispanic in origin. Ancient folklore beliefs were that these little symbolic tokens could bring about a miracle if you prayed just right. If you have a sore arm, you might attach a symbol of an arm to your cross and pray to your saint for healing. If your eyesight is failing, you might attach a symbol of an eye. If you are a pig farmer, you might get a little pig symbol in hope that your pig will bear many piglets. Here is a close up of some of the symbols on my cross.
I see a couple of sets of eyes, a sun, a rose, and what looks to be John F. Kennedy. A donkey, a praying boy. You wonder what the symbols mean to the person who selected them. A donkey? Hope that one can bear life's burdens? A praying boy? Hope that one's son will find religion? A prayer for continued innocence and purity?
A hand, a car, another sun, a man. There is also a little frog (not in this picture). Now what significance could that have? Hope that one will never lose one's voice? There is also an arm and leg on my milagro cross, which to me, symbolizes the hope that we will get good financing for our new house. Get it? lol
My sister Andrea has a collection of these milagro crosses, and has even made one or two herself, after collecting the tiny figures on a couple of trips to Mexico. What attracted me to this one, was that it was displayed next to a large book called "Bringing Sanctity to the Home" or some such title. Now that is an attractive idea that deserves some consideration.
12 Responses
I don’t know if this folklore is part of Hispanic tradition, but frogs are supposed to attract money. Frog figurines with a coin in their mouth are fairly common and are supposed to bring good luck to gamblers, lotto players and others who wish for financial success.
I spy a little treadle sewing machine like my Grandma’s that I have!! How perfect is that milagro for you?!
Hugs!
donkeys are often associated with diligent, peaceful workers (a real irony if you have ever tried to work, peacefully or otherwise with a donkey). There are also numerous folk tales & even a few budget tv movie about the donkey that carried Mary into Bethlehem.
That is gorgeous and so interesting. I love how the little symbols each have a meaning. Very cool!
That is so interesting! I’ve never watched the movie (hanging head in embarrassment)! You’ve provided an educational moment on your blog! I’ll second Angie’s thoughts about the frog’s symbolic meaning!! “Show me the money!!!” (I DID see that movie)!! Fun with sister’s is the best, isn’t it??
I loved the Milagro Beanfield War movie–which is now getting pretty vintage, being from the 80’s–ha ha. The cross is really interesting although it doesn’t look really old. All the nails tacking down the figures look the same, so maybe the cross is new? Anyway, it is very unique.
I’ve never heard of these. It’s beautiful!!
Just a gorgeous and insprirational find, Nicole! It even has a tiny treadle sewing machine on it!
Cheers!
Wow, what an interesting story and cross. I’ve never seen them or heard of them and I’m hispanic. I’ll have to ask my aunts and cousins if they know anything about these crosses. Very cool!
Love the cross
Wow! That is very cool.
p.s. I hope you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to finance the new house! ;0
WOW – you learn something everyday. That’s a beautiful cross, I hope that it brings you luck. Thanks for sharing.