Representations of Virgin Mary in Day of the Dead - Essay Example

Representations of Virgin Mary in Day of the Dead Events such as the Day of the Dead are celebrated all over the world and have become essential parts of different cultures. During the festivities that accompany such events, religious figures are often represented in different ways and this is done in a manner that is designed to bring adherents together. Despite the religious connotations involved in these festivals, it is essential to note than not all representations of religious figures are attractive and at times, some of them might be turned offensive or disrespectful. This is a situation which applies to representations of the Virgin Mary during such festivals as the Day of the Dead where she is portrayed as having a skull face and skeleton hands. The Virgin Mary is a highly revered figure among Catholics worldwide and such representations in the public are not right because they undermine her status. Depictions of the Virgin Mary as essentially a skeleton go against the religious tenets of not only the Catholic, but Orthodox faiths as well. One would argue that the Virgin Mary, as a highly revered figure in the Catholic Church, should not be depicted in this way because it is degrading to her standing. For the most part, the aforementioned depictions can be considered offensive by those who adore her since it ends up associating her with evil (Brandes, 232). Skeletons or skulls in particular, have long been considered to be a representation of evil and should therefore not be associated with the Virgin Mary who is a most revered figure in major Christian denominations. The skull face on the Virgin Mary is offensive because it shows her not as the benevolent mother that many Catholics believe her to be, but rather as an evil being who is out to harm her adherents. It is essential to note that because of the many centuries during which the Virgin has been venerated by Catholics, she has achieved an extremely high position within the Church and to represent her as a skeleton shows a lack of respect for those faithful who venerate her. Furthermore, it shows that such festivals as the Day of the Dead have become so perverted that they have become avenues for those who would ruin the image of the Virgin to achieve their ends. As a result, it has become necessary to ensure that such representations be removed from such events because they not only affect the image of the Virgin Mary, they also have a negative impact on her followers because the resentment that they may feel. The representations of the Virgin Mary in the Day of the Dead are not appropriate because even though it is conducted in countries which are largely Catholic, it has no roots within Christianity (Miller). The fact that the Day of the Dead is not part of Catholic tradition can be used to argue that images of the Virgin Mary have no place in such events because it is essentially a pagan festival. It is because of the lack of validity of these images within these festivals that may be behind its being shown the disrespect that it is shown through its depiction as a skeleton. The event mentioned is a Mesoamerican tradition that has been practiced for thousands of years and any images of the Virgin, especially in the form of a skeleton, is the ultimate sign of disrespect for a highly revered figure (Roy 13). It is unfortunate that those who support and develop such representations are Catholics because it shows the low regard that they have for the Virgin because they do not have the sense to realise that what they are doing is wrong. To bring the Virgin down to the level of a corpse, as shown through her depiction as a skeleton is highly insensitive and it creates a situation where Catholics do not take her as seriously as they are supposed to. Thus, under such conditions, it is wrong for individuals who practice this festival to reconcile pagan and Christian symbols because the former ends up showing disrespect for the latter. As the mother of Christ, the Virgin Mary deserves respect because it is through her that salvation came to the world (Lasareff 26). This is also the source of her reverence within the Catholic Church and other Christian faiths and it can be argued that this reverence is undermined because of her representations in the Day of the Dead. Images of the Virgin are supposed to be highly respectful, not only because of her position within the church, but also for the sake of retaining the dignity of those who are her ardent followers. For centuries, the Virgin was a figure accorded great respect as a result of not only being the mother of Christ, but also as a humble individual. The descriptions made of her during this period attest to her beauty and this was done to such an extent that within the Catholic Church, her position came only second to God and Christ. While some may argue that the Virgin does not deserve the respect and adoration that she receives because she is merely a human being, it does not justify her being depicted with a skull face, because she is the mother of Christ. Her being the mother of an individual who came to be accorded great respect when he was still a child and worshipped almost as soon as he died is a great feat for her, which was recognised by most of the early theologians of the Church. Being the mother of such a renowned individual was not an easy task and it is necessary that she be accorded the respect that she deserves. To depict her as a skeleton is not only disrespectful for the Virgin’s contribution to this world, but it is also disrespectful for the women who have brought all human beings into the world. Mary, it can be argued, is a symbol of womanhood in the Catholic Church and as such, she should be accorded the respect that she rightfully deserves. Representing the Virgin Mary in a skull face and skeletal hands can be considered to be a direct challenge to her status as a saint in the Catholic Church (Wolter and ONeill 1). This is because as a saint, she is an individual who not only deserves respect, but also adoration, especially among those Catholics who take part in the Day of the Dead. Furthermore, the Virgin is a representation of holiness among Catholics and her being depicted with a skull face seems to show a different representation. Instead of her holy status, it can be argued that she is shown to be an evil being that is bent not on interceding for the souls of believers, but on the destruction of the soul. While some individuals may depict the Virgin in a skull face out of ignorance, and feeling that no harm can come out of it, it is essential for them to note that as Catholics, it is wrong for them to do so. They should instead recognise the importance of the Virgin in their religious beliefs, not only as the mother of Christ, but also as a saint. As an intercessor to her son on behalf of human beings, she holds a special place within Catholicism and this is a position that is extremely important in church doctrine. It has made believers feel easier in their lives through their belief that when they pray to her, she will intercede for them and their prayers will be answered. To hold such a venerated place within a conservative church such as the Catholic Church is quite unique for a woman and therefore, to depict her with a skull face in a festival ends up degrading her role. It is therefore necessary for the utmost respect to be shown to the Virgin Mary and for images or depictions of her with a skull face to be completely removed or prevented in such festivals as the Day of the Dead. On the contrary, depiction of the Virgin with a skull face does not mean that it is a sign of disrespect. On the contrary, it can be considered to be an honour for her to be represented in the Day of the Dead because it shows that even in a festival of pagan origins, the Virgin is still visible (Conklin 38). As a highly venerated figure within the Catholic Church, her appearance in the Day of the Dead, which is held mostly in majority Catholic countries, has to suit the occasion and this warrants that she has a skull face. The final counter to the arguments above is that all individuals in society have a right to do what they wish in the Day of the Dead and to question the depiction of the Virgin with a skull face would be an infringement on their rights. In conclusion, the discussion above has argued against depicting the Virgin Mary with a skull face and skeleton hands during festivals such as the Day of the Dead. A reason for this is that these depictions go against the basic tenets of the Catholic Church within which the Virgin is a highly revered figure. Furthermore, an argument has been made that the Day of the Dead is not a festival with Catholic origins but of pagan origins, and it is for this reason that the Virgin Mary should not be depicted within them. Moreover, it is essential to note that as the mother of Christ, the Virgin is a woman deserving of great respect and her depictions with a skull face are extremely disrespectful and need to be addressed so that they stop. Finally, next to God and Christ, the Virgin is the most revered figure within the Catholic Church and some adherents of this church would find it most offensive the depictions of her with a skull face. This is because she is a representation of holiness within the church and because of this she has been raised to sainthood. Works Cited Brandes, Stanley. Skulls to the Living, Bread to the Dead. New York: Blackwell Publishing, 2006.Print Conklin, Paul. "Death Takes a Holiday". U.S. Catholic 66 (2001): 38–41.Print Lasareff, Victor. "Studies in the Iconography of the Virgin" The Art Bulletin 20.1 (1938): 26-65.Print Miller, Carlos. "History: Indigenous people wouldnt let Day of the Dead die". The Arizona Republic. 2005.Print Roy, Ann. "A Crack Between the Worlds". Commonwealth, 122 (1995): 13–16.Print Wolter, Allan B. and ONeill, Blane. John Duns Scotus: Marys Architect. Franciscan Press: Illinois, 1983. p.1Print Read More