La Virgen de Guadalupe

Today in my Religions in the US class, we covered La Virgen de Guadelupe, the patron saint of both Mexico and the Americas.  And it was really fascinating!  Guadalupe, representing the Virgin Mary, is a sort of blending between Catholicism and indigenous Aztec culture (this is known as Mestizaje).  The Guadelupe tradition began in 1521, when an apparition appeared to an Aztec convert, Juan Diego, on the Hill of Tepeyac outside Mexico City.  Interestingly enough, this hill was the previous home of a shrine to the Aztec goddess Tonantzin.  There is now two basilicas there, and it is the most visited Catholic shrine in the world, gathering about six million pilgrims yearly.  As the legend goes, Juan Diego was instructed by the apparition to gather roses in winter.  When he had done so, it was discovered that the cloth in which he had carried the roses now bore an imprint of Guadalupe.  I'm attaching a picture of this cloth below, as it apparently contains rich symbolism.  For instance, the turquoise color of the Virgin's robe is a symbol of royalty and the belt around her waist a symbol of pregnancy, which contributes to the idea that she is a representation of the Virgin Mary.  Also in the picture, Guadalupe, surrounded by sun rays, is standing on the moon while wearing a cloak of stars.  This adds to her mystical appeal, and legend has it that the stars on the robe represent the constellations that were present on the exact day of her first appearance to Juan Diego.  Interesting stuff!
Oh, and as a side note, Juan Diego was declared the first Mexican saint in 2002.