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Virgin of Guadalupe Nicho
The Aztec Virgin stands in a nice nicho with Mexican milagros attached around the frame, and it is constructed in the traditional style. It looks much like a traditional antique 19th Century nicho. Milagros, which are the name of the small charms nailed to the frame, are used by people to testify to specific miracles that a saint has done for them. When one asks for a miracle from a saint, such as the Virgin of Guadalupe, one makes a vow, which is known in Spanish as a manda, wherein one promises to go the a shrine or church dedicated to her and leave a milagro there. If the image that is the center of devotion in that shrine or church is inside of a nicho, the milagro would be nailed to the frame in many cases. In this particular piece, however, the idea with these milagros are to portray the prayers that she recieves, represented by the praying figures, and the way that she always watches over us, which is represented by the pair of eyes.
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