09/03/2009
milagros~miraclesPermalink
milagros
Milagros, also known as an ex-voto or dijes, are religious folk charms that are traditionally used for healing purposes and as votive offerings in Mexico and other areas of United States. In Spanish, the word milagro literally means miracle.
Milagros come in a variety of shapes and sizes and they might be nearly flat or fully three dimensional; and they can be made out of gold, silver, tin, lead. As part of a religious ritual or an act of devotion, milagros can be offered to a symbol of a saint as a reminder of a petitioner’s particular need, or in gratitude for a prayer answered. They are used to assist in focusing attention towards a specific ailment, based on the type of charm used. Milagro symbolism is not universal; a milagro of a body part, such as a heart might represent different ideas such as a heart condition, a romance, or any number of other interpretations. Milagros are also carried for protection and good luck!
You can get your own milagro on a red string~~to wear, tie to a gift, or tuck away in a special place~~at the Chakra Khan shop. All proceeds from the milagros benefit the Matthew Kesti Book Fund, which purchases books for young readers in the Minneapolis libraries. Heal your heart and help the libraries!