Altar for the Virgin of Sorrow

The tradition of building an altar for the Virgin of Sorrows was initiated in Europe in the 15th Century to honor the mother of Christ in her desolation at the foot of the cross. The tradition was rapidly integrated with the religious traditions of Mexicans. The celebration with a statue of the Virgin accompanied by flowers, flags, fruits, and seeds matches perfectly with the pre-Hispanic agricultural rituals of the month of huey tozoztli, at the same time of the year as the Catholic Holy Week. The pre-Hispanic ritual consists of an offering of chia and other seeds to Chicomecóatl, goddess of nourishment.

Traditional elements in the altar include: water, representing tears, oranges symbolizing bitterness, white flowers representing the purity of the Virgin, germinated seeds for the continuity of life, seven flags for the seven sorrows of the Virgin, and candles to light her way. As in all Catholic sites during Lent, the color purple dominates, representing grief. Figures representing the passion of Christ are made of seeds: nails, hammer, crown of thorns, and rooster.

• Altar de Dolores: San Francisco; built by Secretary of Tourism Altar de Dolores: San Francisco; built by Secretary of Tourism
• Altar de Dolores: Casa del Faldon Altar de Dolores: Casa del Faldon
• Altar de Dolores: in the courtyard of the Templo San Francisco Altar de Dolores: in the courtyard of the Templo San Francisco
• Altar de Dolores: Museo Regional Altar de Dolores: Museo Regional
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