The Story of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá and our pilgrimage to the Shrine on 27th Dec 2024

 The Story of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá is a cherished and inspiring tale that intertwines faith, art, and miraculous events in Colombia. This devotion centers around a small painted image of the Virgin Mary that has become a symbol of Colombian Catholicism and cultural identity.

Historical Background

1. The Painting:

   • The original image was painted in 1560 by Alonso de Narváez, a Spanish artist. Using natural pigments on a cotton cloth, he depicted the Virgin Mary as the Immaculate Conception, flanked by Saint Andrew and Saint Anthony of Padua.
   • The painting was intended to serve as a devotional piece for the newly converted Indigenous people in what is now Chiquinquirá, a town in Boyacá, Colombia.

2. Abandonment and Deterioration:

   • Over time, the painting was neglected, left in a small chapel exposed to the elements. The colors faded, and the cloth became torn and discolored, losing its vibrancy and significance.

The Miracle

• In 1586, María Ramos, a pious woman from Spain, moved to Chiquinquirá to restore the deteriorated chapel. She found the faded image and placed it in a makeshift altar, praying daily before it.
• On December 26, 1586, as María Ramos and other witnesses prayed, the image miraculously regained its original colors and clarity. The Virgin Mary appeared radiant, and the once-faded figures were now vivid and lifelike. The torn cloth had also been mysteriously repaired.
• This event was declared a miracle by Church authorities and drew pilgrims from across the region.

Significance and Devotion

1. Patroness of Colombia:

   • In 1919, Pope Benedict XV declared Our Lady of Chiquinquirá the Queen and Patroness of Colombia. Her feast day is celebrated on July 9 each year.
   • She is also recognized as a unifying symbol for the nation during times of conflict and hardship.

2. The Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá:

   • The miraculous image is housed in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá, which has become a major pilgrimage site.
   • Millions of faithful visit annually to honor the Virgin and seek her intercession.

Symbolism of the Image

• The Virgin Mary stands on a crescent moon, symbolizing her purity and triumph over evil.
• Her hands are folded in prayer, reflecting humility and devotion.
• The figures of Saint Andrew and Saint Anthony signify the importance of Christian evangelization in the Americas.

Cultural Impact

• Our Lady of Chiquinquirá represents not only a spiritual figure but also a cultural icon. Her image has inspired numerous works of art, literature, and music in Colombia.
• She is often invoked in prayers for peace, healing, and unity.

Modern Relevance

Today, the devotion to Our Lady of Chiquinquirá continues to thrive, with celebrations, processions, and Masses held in her honor. She remains a beacon of hope and faith for Colombians and Catholics worldwide.

Descubren un sarcófago de hace 3.800 años en Egipto, de la época del Imperio Medio

Los investigadores han descubierto un sarcófago del Reino Medio rehumedecido en Luxor, Egipto, en el marco de las investigaciones realizadas tras el descubrimiento, en 2018 y 2019, de sarcófagos en el mismo sitio, indicó un miembro de la misión el 29 de diciembre de 2024. El descubrimiento se produjo el 16 de diciembre de 2024, al final de una misión de dos meses, confirmó a la AFP el director del Instituto de Egiptología de la Universidad de Estrasburgo, que participó en la misión, confirmando un informe del diario regional Les Dernieres Nouvelles d'Alsace (DNA). /Foto de Frédéric COLIN / Universidad de Estrasburgo / IFAO / AFP

El reciente descubrimiento de un sarcófago de hace aproximadamente 3.800 años en Egipto, perteneciente al Imperio Medio, representa un hallazgo de gran relevancia para la arqueología y el estudio de la antigua civilización egipcia. Este período, que abarcó del 2055 al 1650 a.C. aproximadamente, es conocido por su estabilidad política y cultural, así como por avances significativos en el arte, la arquitectura y la administración.

Detalles del Hallazgo

• Ubicación: El sarcófago podría haber sido encontrado en una necrópolis o sitio de enterramiento relevante, como las ciudades de Tebas, Lisht o Fayum, donde se construyeron tumbas elaboradas durante el Imperio Medio.
• Material: Los sarcófagos de esta época eran frecuentemente de madera, piedra caliza o granito, decorados con inscripciones jeroglíficas que ofrecían oraciones, himnos y conjuros del Libro de los Muertos para proteger al difunto en el más allá.
• Contenido: Es probable que contenga momias, amuletos, ajuares funerarios y otros objetos destinados a acompañar al fallecido en la otra vida, como figuras de ushebtis, joyas y recipientes de cerámica.

Significado Histórico

Este descubrimiento podría arrojar luz sobre:

1. Prácticas Funerarias: Los detalles del sarcófago y su contenido pueden revelar rituales específicos de la élite o las clases medias de la época.
2. Jerarquía Social: La riqueza y el detalle del sarcófago podrían indicar el rango del individuo en la sociedad, ya que durante el Imperio Medio se desarrolló un sistema más inclusivo en el acceso a las prácticas funerarias complejas.
3. Religión y Creencias: La simbología y los textos jeroglíficos asociados al sarcófago ofrecen pistas sobre cómo los egipcios del Imperio Medio entendían la muerte, el renacimiento y la eternidad.
4. Arte y Tecnología: La forma, los materiales y las técnicas de decoración del sarcófago pueden mostrar avances artísticos y tecnológicos del periodo.

Contexto del Imperio Medio

El Imperio Medio marcó una etapa de consolidación tras el caos del Primer Periodo Intermedio. Fue una época de prosperidad en la que los faraones, como Mentuhotep II, Senusret I y Amenemhat III, promovieron la expansión territorial, el comercio y la construcción monumental. Las necrópolis de este periodo reflejan la sofisticación alcanzada en las creencias religiosas y las prácticas funerarias.

Importancia del Descubrimiento

Además de contribuir al conocimiento del Imperio Medio, este sarcófago:

• Puede brindar nuevas conexiones genealógicas si se encuentra ADN o inscripciones sobre la ascendencia del difunto.
• Complementa el registro arqueológico de una época considerada menos explorada que el Imperio Antiguo o el Imperio Nuevo.

¿Te gustaría información más detallada sobre los descubrimientos recientes en Egipto o una cronología del Imperio Medio?

Historia de Villa de Leyva - Boyaca colombia

 

Historia de Villa de Leyva

La Villa de Santa María de Leyva, fue fundada el 12 de Junio de 1572, la finalidad principal para la fundación del pueblo fue crear un lugar donde los soldados españoles, después de la guerra de la conquista pudieran establecerse, también para que sirviera de gran despensa de alimentos para las poblaciones aledañas, debido a su potencial para el cultivo de trigo, por esto es que Villa de Leyva tiene una de las plazas más grandes de Suramérica ya que allí formaban e impartían órdenes a los regimientos militares y era fuente de abastecimiento.

Viajar a Villa de Leyva es viajar por el tiempo, uno de los pocos lugares del mundo donde converge y se concentra tanta historia y cultura en medio de un majestuoso paisaje natural.

En Villa de Leyva encontrarás vestigios fosilizados de criaturas prehistóricas, como el Kronosaurus de 115 millones de años; el Ictiosaurio de 110 a 115 millones de años y Pliosaurios de 130 millones de años de antigüedad.

 

La presencia humana data en la zona desde hace 12.000 años, allí residen valiosos hallazgos arqueológicos de la cultura muisca, como el observatorio de Zaquencipá, las pictografías de Sáchica, Iguaque, y cantidad de piezas de cerámica y escultura prehispánica.

En la parte montañosa de Villa de Leyva está ubicado el santuario de Flora y Fauna de Iguaque, lugar Sagrado de la cultura Muisca donde según su cosmogonía, de allí emergió la Diosa Bachué con su hijo en brazos para dar origen a la humanidad.

Su belleza y aporte en la historia de Colombia llevaron a que Villa de Leyva fuera reconocida como monumento nacional el 17 de diciembre de 1954. Por eso hasta hoy conserva edificaciones coloniales como el convento de la Candelaria (fundado por los Agustinos en 1604) y el de Santo Ecce-Homo (fundado por los Dominicos en 1.620), también espacios emblemáticos de la época de independencia de la corona española; como la Casa del Congreso, la Casa de Antonio Ricaurte y la Casa de Don Antonio Nariño.

Así es Villa de Leyva un pueblo de arquitectura única, rebosante de cultura, donde visitar galerías de arte, saborear de una gastronomía sin igual, practicar deportes de aventura y realizar caminatas ecológicas por santuarios naturales llenos de mística calma.

Las huellas y la historia que yacen en Villa de Leyva, nos conectan con nosotros mismos y nos hace reflexionar de dónde venimos, por donde hemos pasado, y nos hace vivir plenamente un presente lleno de emoción, para tomar consciencia de hacia dónde vamos, eso es viajar a Villa de Leyva.

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History of Villa de Leyva

The Villa de Santa María de Leyva was founded on June 12, 1572. The main purpose of the town's founding was to create a place where Spanish soldiers could settle after the war of conquest, and also to serve as a large food pantry for the surrounding populations, due to its potential for wheat cultivation. This is why Villa de Leyva has one of the largest squares in South America, since it was there that military regiments were formed and given orders and was a source of supply.

Traveling to Villa de Leyva is traveling through time, one of the few places in the world where so much history and culture converges and concentrates in the middle of a majestic natural landscape.

In Villa de Leyva you will find fossilized remains of prehistoric creatures, such as the 115 million year old Kronosaurus; the Ichthyosaur, 110 to 115 million years old, and Pliosaurs, 130 million years old.

Human presence in the area dates back 12,000 years, and valuable archaeological finds from the Muisca culture reside there, such as the Zaquencipá observatory, the pictographs of Sáchica, Iguaque, and many pieces of pre-Hispanic pottery and sculpture.

In the mountainous part of Villa de Leyva is located the Iguaque Flora and Fauna sanctuary, a sacred place of the Muisca culture where, according to their cosmogony, the Goddess Bachué emerged with her son in her arms to give rise to humanity.

Its beauty and contribution to the history of Colombia led Villa de Leyva to be recognized as a national monument on December 17, 1954. That is why it still preserves colonial buildings such as the Candelaria convent (founded by the Augustinians in 1604) and the Santo Ecce-Homo convent (founded by the Dominicans in 1620), as well as emblematic spaces from the time of independence from the Spanish crown; such as the Congress House, the House of Antonio Ricaurte and the House of Don Antonio Nariño.

This is Villa de Leyva, a town with unique architecture, brimming with culture, where you can visit art galleries, taste unparalleled cuisine, practice adventure sports and take ecological walks through natural sanctuaries full of mystical calm.

The traces and history that lie in Villa de Leyva connect us with ourselves and make us reflect on where we come from, where we have been, and make us fully live a present full of emotion, to become aware of where we are going, that is traveling to Villa de Leyva.

The new Seven wonders of the world

 

New Seven Wonders of the World

Written by 

Amy Tikkanen and elaborated by Assai James 

Fact-checked by 

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

In 2000 a Swiss foundation launched a campaign to determine the New Seven Wonders of the World. Given that the original Seven Wonders list was compiled in the 2nd century BCE—and that only one entrant is still standing (the Pyramids of Giza)—it seemed time for an update. And people around the world apparently agreed, as more than 100 million votes were cast on the Internet or by text messaging. The final results, which were announced in 2007, were met with cheers as well as some jeers—a number of prominent contenders, such as Athens’s Acropolis, failed to make the cut. Do you agree with the new list?

• Great Wall of China

  

  Great Wall of ChinaGreat Wall of China, near Beijing.

  © Digital Vision/Getty Images

  Great might be an understatement. One of the world’s largest building-construction projects, the Great Wall of China is widely thought to be about 5,500 miles (8,850 km) long; a disputed Chinese study, however, claims the length is 13,170 miles (21,200 km). Work began in the 7th century BCE and continued for two millennia. Although called a “wall,” the structure actually features two parallel walls for lengthy stretches. In addition, watchtowers and barracks dot the bulwark. One not-so-great thing about the wall, however, was its effectiveness. Although it was built to prevent invasions and raids, the wall largely failed to provide actual security. Instead, scholars have noted that it served more as “political propaganda.”

• Chichén Itzá

  

  El Castillo, a Toltec-style pyramid, Chichén Itzá, Yucatán state, MexicoEl Castillo (“The Castle”), a Toltec-style pyramid, rising above the plaza at Chichén Itzá in Yucatán state, Mexico.

  © diegograndi/stock.adobe.com

  Chichén Itzá is a Mayan city on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, which flourished in the 9th and 10th centuries CE. Under the Mayan tribe Itzá—who were strongly influenced by the Toltecs—a number of important monuments and temples were built. Among the most notable is the stepped pyramid El Castillo (“The Castle”), which rises 79 feet (24 meters) above the Main Plaza. A testament to the Mayans’ astronomical abilities, the structure features a total of 365 steps, the number of days in the solar year. During the spring and autumnal equinoxes, the setting sun casts shadows on the pyramid that give the appearance of a serpent slithering down the north stairway; at the base is a stone snake head. Life there was not all work and science, however. Chichén Itzá is home to the largest tlachtli (a type of sporting field) in the Americas. On that field the residents played a ritual ball game popular throughout pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.

• Petra

  

  the KhaznahThe Khaznah (“Treasury”) at Petra, Jordan.

  © Lovrencg/Fotolia

  The ancient city of Petra, Jordan, is located in a remote valley, nestled among sandstone mountains and cliffs. It was purported to be one of the places where Moses struck a rock and water gushed forth. Later the Nabataeans, an Arab tribe, made it their capital, and during this time it flourished, becoming an important trade center, especially for spices. Noted carvers, the Nabataeans chiseled dwellings, temples, and tombs into the sandstone, which changed color with the shifting sun. In addition, they constructed a water system that allowed for lush gardens and farming. At its height, Petra reportedly had a population of 30,000. The city began to decline, however, as trade routes shifted. A major earthquake in 363 CE caused more difficulty, and after another tremor hit in 551, Petra was gradually abandoned. Although rediscovered in 1912, it was largely ignored by archaeologists until the late 20th century, and many questions remain about the city.

• Machu Picchu

  

  Machu Picchu, Peru

  © Digital Vision/Getty Images

  This Incan site near Cuzco, Peru, was “discovered” in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, who believed it was Vilcabamba, a secret Incan stronghold used during the 16th-century rebellion against Spanish rule. Although that claim was later disproved, the purpose of Machu Picchu has confounded scholars. Bingham believed it was home to the “Virgins of the Sun,” women who lived in convents under a vow of chastity. Others think that it was likely a pilgrimage site, while some believe it was a royal retreat. (One thing it apparently should not be is the site of a beer commercial. In 2000 a crane being used for such an ad fell and cracked a monument.) What is known is that Machu Picchu is one of the few major pre-Columbian ruins found nearly intact. Despite its relative isolation high in the Andes Mountains, it features agricultural terraces, plazas, residential areas, and temples.

• Christ the Redeemer

  

  Christ the Redeemer statueChrist the Redeemer statue, Rio de Janeiro.

  © sfmthd/Fotolia

  Christ the Redeemer, a colossal statue of Jesus, stands atop Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro. Its origins date to just after World War I, when some Brazilians feared a “tide of godlessness.” They proposed a statue, which was ultimately designed by Heitor da Silva Costa, Carlos Oswald, and Paul Landowski. Construction began in 1926 and was completed five years later. The resulting monument stands 98 feet (30 meters) tall—not including its base, which is about 26 feet (8 meters) high—and its outstretched arms span 92 feet (28 meters). It is the largest Art Deco sculpture in the world. Christ the Redeemer is made of reinforced concrete and is covered in approximately six million tiles. Somewhat disconcertingly, the statue has often been struck by lightning, and in 2014 the tip of Jesus’s right thumb was damaged during a storm.

• Colosseum

  

  ColosseumColosseum, Rome.

  © fabiomax/Fotolia

  The Colosseum in Rome was built in the first century by order of the Emperor Vespasian. A feat of engineering, the amphitheater measures 620 by 513 feet (189 by 156 meters) and features a complex system of vaults. It was capable of holding 50,000 spectators, who watched a variety of events. Perhaps most notable were gladiator fights, though men battling animals was also common. In addition, water was sometimes pumped into the Colosseum for mock naval engagements. However, the belief that Christians were martyred there—namely, by being thrown to lions—is debated. According to some estimates, about 500,000 people died in the Colosseum. Additionally, so many animals were captured and then killed there that certain species reportedly became extinct.

• Taj Mahal

  

  Taj MahalTaj Mahal, Agra, India.

  © TMAX/stock.adobe.com

  This mausoleum complex in Agra, India, is regarded as one of the world’s most iconic monuments and is perhaps the finest example of Mughal architecture. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahān (reigned 1628–58) to honor his wife Mumtāz Maḥal (“Chosen One of the Palace”), who died in 1631 giving birth to their 14th child. It took about 22 years and 20,000 workers to construct the complex, which includes an immense garden with a reflecting pool. The mausoleum is made of white marble that features semiprecious stones in geometric and floral patterns. Its majestic central dome is surrounded by four smaller domes. According to some reports, Shah Jahān wished to have his own mausoleum made out of black marble. However, he was deposed by one of his sons before any work began.

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