All about Mary.

El Guadalupano

I went to a Mexican lucha libre event last night, a professional wrestling match characterised by colourful masks and choreographed manoeuvres.

One of the wrestlers, which are known as luchadores, entered the arena with a massive flag with the Virgin of Guadalupe around his shoulders. After stepping into the ring he spread the flag out on the floor, went down on his knees and kissed it. This reminded me how intertwined la Guadalupana is with Mexico’s every day life and customs.

The luchador above was painted by the artist Raudiel Sanudo, who explains the work as follows:

El Guadalupano is a luchador who in the past was a cholo. Because of all the sorrow and worries he brought upon his mother, she passes away. Now he repents and leaves behind his crimes and wicked ways, he converts and is now devoted to La Virgen de Guadalupe.

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