Why does the Virgin of the Guadalupe hold such an important role in the spiritual lives of millions around the world? The fascinating story of her appearance in Mexico still inspires people today and she remains an important symbol for the faithful in all walks of life. In December of 1531, a baptized Aztec Indian, Juan Diego, was walking to church near a sacred pagan hill named Tepeyac and heard a voice and song birds calling to him. After climbing the hill, he saw a young mestiza woman who told him she was "the ever-virgin Holy Mary, Mother of God," and that she wished a church to be built in her honor on the site. After failing to convince the local Bishop of her appearance, he returned to ask her for a sign (as demanded by the Bishop) to corroborate her request. The Virgin told Juan Diego to gather fresh flowers from the frozen hill, impossible for that time of year, and bring them back to her where she arranged them in his cloak to show the bishop. When he opened his cloak to the bishop and revealed the beautiful non-native roses, the miraculous image of the Virgin of the Guadalupe suddenly appeared emblazoned on his cloak. Deeply moved, Bishop Juan de Zumárraga ordered that the church be built upon the hill which is now the site of the famous Basilica in Mexico City. The tilma, a cloak made of a fragile cactus fiber, is currently displayed in the Basilica and is still brilliantly colorful and free from decay, as fresh as it was over four centuries ago. Her appearance symbolizes the important transition of a pre-Columbian, human-sacrificing pagan religion to Christianity through the story of Juan Diego's miraculous experience which spread so completely throughout Mexico that more than eight million Indians were converted in only seven years. The story, told in the Nahuatl language, is currently preserved in the original text, called NICAN MOPOHUA. The Virgin's features also played an important role in this process; she was mestiza, signifying the unity of the races. She was standing in the center of the moon (which signifies Mexico in Nahuatl) and occluding the sun (goddess Tonantzin, whose rays outline her form), indicating her prominence over those symbols of pagan worship, the sun- and moon-gods. The small angel below her, with wings of the pagan god Quetzal, or the song birds coyoltotl and the tzinitzcan whose song Juan Diego heard before he approached the Virgen, demonstrates her sovereignty, because to the Indians, royalty was always carried. That she appeared on the same hill where thousands of Aztecs were sacrificed annually establishes the victory of her religion of love over pagan atrocities. Other symbols include the stars on her mantle symbolizing the heavens (the constellations seen over the December sky in the Valley of Mexico City) and the purple tassels of her sash signifying royalty. Her eyes are downcast, signifying her humility and servitude towards God. Her hair is worn down and she wears a black ribbon around her waist to symbolize to Aztec culture that she is "with child". A four petaled flower over her belly, called the "Nahui Ollin," is a symbol of deity, thus combined with the black ribbon denotes she is "Mother of God." As evidence of how revered the Virgin is, her image appears everywhere, in churches, roadside altars, calendars, tattoos,candles, charms, even bars and casinos. The cloak with her image in the Basilica is visited by millions of devout pilgrims from all over the world. She is the patroness of the Americas and a powerful icon for people everywhere. The annual Feast Day of the Virgin of the Guadalupe is held on December 12th, the day Juan Diego delivered the roses to the bishop and the miraculous image appeared on his tilma. The first magnificent wood inlaid mural (wood marquetry) by artists Spider Johnson and Lora Hunt was commissioned and donated by Dr. Jose and Terelyn Santos of San Antonio, Texas. It is made entirely of wood with gold leaf adornments. Limited editions of this mural are available at a special website dedicated to Our Lady at http://VirginOfTheGuadalupe.com. HOW THE PROJECT BEGAN Dr. Santos recounts: The inspiration. Sitting in the guest room of our new home, praying a rosary. Restricted from buying any more secular art, wanting to find something of a religious theme, deciding on having it commissioned to our choice of topic. Virgen de Guadalupe appeared. Called friend Spider Johnson and discussed the choice and his ability to make one in the marquetry media he was suited for. Researched the topic on the Internet. Favorite site is http://www.virgendeguadalupe.org.mx. Learned about the story of Juan Diego, the apparitions, image, the symbolism, the research, and the history of the culture through the ages. When project got going, we met to discuss scale, full-size picked. Wood colors for different segments discussed. Studio, computers, wood, laser cutter, artists and artists' home blessed at the beginning of the actual cutting and assembling portion.