The Iconoclast Next Door.
Jan. 7th, 2008 10:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
raybearTonight after getting home from work, I decided I needed to walk six blocks over to the other side of our bit of neighborhood and document something we've passed twice in the car. It is a bit alarming when you turn onto Wellington and there appears to be a person lit up in the window of a front porch. Then you realize its not a person, but a statue. Then you realize that statue is.....Christ on crutches?
Now....I have questions.
First, who is the strange victorian child on the side? And after getting close and taking pictures, I'm not entirely certain this IS Christ on crutches, because when was Christ ever on crutches? Perhaps it is in an apocryphal text? Also, you may notice the flesh wound is on his pec, not his side. He has grey hair and a gold crown. Any help would be appreciate by those more versed in people like saints. I was raised protestant and know little.
But I wish it was Christ on crutches, partly because behind him is a statute of the Virgin Mary holding a baby Jesus, and I like the idea of both being present simultaneously.
I'm not entirely sure this display was created solely for christmastime, as there are no other typical decorations up and about, like lights and wreaths. I will report back in 6 months if its still there.
Now....I have questions.
First, who is the strange victorian child on the side? And after getting close and taking pictures, I'm not entirely certain this IS Christ on crutches, because when was Christ ever on crutches? Perhaps it is in an apocryphal text? Also, you may notice the flesh wound is on his pec, not his side. He has grey hair and a gold crown. Any help would be appreciate by those more versed in people like saints. I was raised protestant and know little.
But I wish it was Christ on crutches, partly because behind him is a statute of the Virgin Mary holding a baby Jesus, and I like the idea of both being present simultaneously.
I'm not entirely sure this display was created solely for christmastime, as there are no other typical decorations up and about, like lights and wreaths. I will report back in 6 months if its still there.
Not christ..
Date: 2008-03-24 02:43 pm (UTC)It's Saint Lazarus - the Saint that's depicted in the Christian Bible - the person that Jesus brought back to life from the tomb....
This is a santeria display of the Orisha's syncretized with Catholic Saints - Saint Lazarus is used to represent an Orisha named Babalu Aye, Saint Barbara which is the statute to the right with the Red sash across is used to represent an Orisha by the name of Chango and the Niño de Atocha which is the child sitting in the chair is used to represent Elegua the Orisha of the Cross roads...
This website definitely explains it all in detail : http://www.santeriareligion101.com
Re: Not christ..
Date: 2008-03-24 06:14 pm (UTC)