Death has its cult and is already represented in several countries in South America. We can see it in the Santa Muerte in Mexico y Argentina, and Death in Colombia. The cult is transversal, since it covers socioeconomic levels and social groups of different types. Today you can see a belief of 12 million inhabitants in this figure.
Although it may seem incredible, it has an appearance that is revered, but for many it is feared. Given her appearance, for many devotees she is a figure that worships, represents that life it ends and remember that we must take advantage of all the moments that are given to us. Where does this figure come from? Are there many devotees who follow her?
The cult of Santa Muerte of Mexico
In Mexico they reverence Death. It is one of the most popular religious figures in Mexico and Central America, Above all, he is venerated by organized crime gangs and drug traffickers. Many of these organizations have raised this figure as a great power of protection and grace.
Is it death or a dressed skeleton, sitting on her throne or standing, posing with a scythe and looking feminine. She is represented as kind, a symbol of protection and as a passage from life to death. But, for some, she is a cursed figure.
It is both the impact and its devotion that has generated controversy among the different Christian currents, such as the Catholic Church, Evangelicals and others. It is considered by these sources as a controversy to established religious principles.
The Christian Church against Santa Muerte
Personifying death as a sacred entity has created this great debate of rejection for the Catholic Church. The dispute centers on because a figure cannot be venerated if he or she has not achieved communion and friendship with God. Such discrepancy has led many churches to condemn Santa Muerte, calling it idolatry.
Santa Muerte in Mexico has grown in devout people, creating great roots among its manifestations and now being an identity of the country.
Santa Muerte throughout the centuries
The holy dead arrived in Mexico in colonial times, specifically on the street in the Historic Center of Mexico City, formerly known as Santa Muerte Street.
Over the centuries it has been present in various parts of the planet. It has mixed in various cultures and He has been included in the danse macabre in Europe. In the 20th century it has gained strength in Mexico, specifically in the decades of the 50s and 60s. It achieved popularity with representative figures and prints, reaching more fame in the 90s.
The most representative figure has been “Doña Queta”, venerated on a public altar in the Tepito neighborhood in 2001, Mexico City, undoubtedly dedicated to Santa Muerte. This is where she began the spread and devotion of her.
The origin of Santa Muerte in Mexico
Su origin dates back to 1795 in a town in the center of Mexico, seeing the figure of a skeleton called Death. But his great revolution is located, according to the stories, in the 1960s in Catemaco, Veracruz. Its popularity and expansion continued ahead and against the current of the Catholic Church. Hence, worship continued to be done in a hidden way and with small groups of devotees.
It is from the 90s when The Religious Associations Law was reformed and Public Worship promoted by President Carlos Salinas de Gortari, with a more open change to freedom of worship. Together with the economic crisis of 1994, growth in Santa Muerte skyrocketed, gaining devotees and more relevance among the most marginalized groups.
Places in Mexico to venerate Santa Muerte
On Calle Alfarería 12, there is a public altar called the “White Girl”, inaugurated more than 20 years ago by Enriqueta Romero, in the Morelos neighborhood. Hundreds of believers come to carry out their orders, leave their offerings or to receive the blessing of the local figures. F
National Sanctuary of Santa Muerte, located at Nicolás Bravo, 35, Colonia Morelos. Weddings and baptisms are celebrated in this place. In addition, balms, scapulars and candles are sold.
Another place is Saint Dominic Altar, is located at 165 Pascle Street, Pedregal neighborhood in Santo Domingo. Prayers are held in this area on the first day of each month, although it is open every day.
Saint Death of Nicolás Bravo (1)
El Altar in the Colonia Doctores It is located at Doctor José María Vértiz, 118, Colonia Doctores. This place shares Death with the figure of Jesús Malverde, known as the Saint of Narcos. Prayers are made to both on different days of each month.
La Santa Muerte is generally represented as a female skeleton dressed in a tunic, carrying a world sphere or a scythe. For those who adore it, it is not seen as something horrible, but as an integral part of their lives and consolidation.
What personifications exist of Santa Muerte?
There is the representation of the White girl, dressed in various ways. She is always placed on a throne, dressed in a tunic and with a scythe in her hand. Her attire will depend on what she is going to order, she can be represented as a bride, a quinceañera, or with colors like red or yellow.
The Skinny Girl It is another of the representations of Santa Muerte, highly revered by everyone and integrated into many festivals and traditions.
The Boney, It is a San Muerte with tradition and people come to pray their own prayers and also Our Fathers.
Any of these figures on “Santa Muerte”, makes his believers come to pray and ask love, health and abundance. Let us remember that there are many believers and it is estimated that there are close to 12 million people who follow him. There are even testimonies that claim that the White Girl has saved them from car accidents and even from diseases that had no cure.