The Power of the Feminine in San Miguel de Allende
The history,culture and traditions of San Miguel de Allende are marked by a strong,feminine temperament. With the arrivalof the Spanish, they introduced the new god, Mary and saints they brought withthem.
The European orientation toward power and control in the Churchwas too masculine to be accepted in San Miguel, and Mexico as a whole. The nurturing and consoling nature of the Virgin of Guadalupe stressed a lesscritical and more maternal and protective emphasis on the healing power oflove. Guadalupe’s appearance began the first widespread acceptance of thenew faith and the formation of a uniquely Mexican, and more feminine, Catholicism.
The multiple images of Mary in town each represent differentaspects of the Virgin. Guadalupe, the most popular image ofMary, represents the birth of a new race and nation. She is seen to be anactual person, not a theological concept. For example, when I entered ataxi on a recent rainy day and asked the driver if he has avoided any accidentshe replied “Guadalupe has ridden beside me all day and her eyes haveprotected me. With her here, you and I are totally safe.”
In addition to the Mary there are saints, Catrinas and theOtomi-made Maria doll contributing to making town uniquely feminine.
Presented by Joseph Toone, Trip Advisor’s top-ranked historicaltour guide and author of seven best-selling books on the culture and history ofSan Miguel. His tours and books are renownedfor highlighting San Miguel’s unique traditions and celebrations that are anextraordinary mixture of an ancestral pagan past and the Catholic faith.
150 pesos.