What are Milagros?
They are small metal charms (the larger ones are called ex votos) in the form of body parts, animals, etc.
How are milagros used? The traditional way to use Milagros goes back centuries. If a faithful person has something in his or her life that seems insurmountable, he or she may “make a deal” with a saint or a virgin and ask for help. If the miracle is granted, the faithful person will follow through on his or her end of the bargain, and that may include a trip to a shrine to leave something there as a physical representation of thanks. People who have a little more money may commission a painting called an ex voto, which is usually on wood or tin, which illustrates the miracle that occurred or the favor granted. Those who can afford to part with only a few pesos will buy the metal charms that come in the shape of body parts, people, animals, plants and a wide array of inanimate objects. The milagros usually come in shapes specific to the miracle. For example, if someone wishes to give thanks for the healing of a broken arm, the devotee will purchase an arm milagro and leave it in the shrine. For a cow that recovered from illness, a cow milagro is used, and so on. The milagros are pretty literal and there are no special meanings for the individual pieces other than what is visually evident. Inside the shrine the milagros are usually left in a designated sacred space. This could either be a room off to the side, a wall or separate chapel. Often times these sacred spaces need to be “cleaned out” and the contents are usually sold by the parish to raise money for the poor. Many works of devotional art, and older or more interesting milagros end up in secondary craft markets because of this practice. Many of the little milagros for sale in the stalls outside the shrines have been used multiple times. People believe the multiple uses of these objects only give them more power.
Antique gold color with natural patina making each one unique.
has a hook on the back if you choose to hang.
Milagro means miracles in Spanish. These religious folk charms can be hung on alters, around the neck of Santos dolls, incorporated into jewelry. The heart opens to reveal a space to place a prayer.
I have limited stock, each heart I had blessed from my local church <3
Thanks for looking
