I spotted this yard shrine when driving to meet a friend for lunch. My first thought was that this is phenomenon unique to the American Southwest and would be a good post for Phoenix Daily Photo. After I thought about it more, I realized that it wasn’t just common in Arizona; I’ve seen these little home-made shrines all over the country. I certainly remember several from the city in Illinois where I grew up. They might have looked a little different but, they were there none the less. These shrines might represent a petition for assistance or it could be thanks for prayers answered. It might be to commemorate some event or simply to honor a lost loved one. You can decide what this one represents.
6 comments:
Almost everywhere there is a Catholic neighborhood here in SW Ohio, there are shrines like this or similar to it. I think they manufacture and sell precast shrines one can buy and set out. At least most of them look alike.
Today, October 25th, is my birthday -- I am 74 years old.
We have lots of those, mainly in the north of the country where people are more religious. Yes, we are a very small country but differences are big regarding everything, from weather to food, architecture to language accents! :-)
I like the round rocks around the shrine.
In addition to shrines at homes, I have been intrigued by homemade shrines along the sides of the roads of countries as widespread as Greece and Argentina. They are used to commemorate a loved one who perished in auto accidents. In some other countries, they look more like a smaller version of the shrine that you posted today (without the Our Lady of Guadalupe shown in your photo, which of course is Mexican in origin). The shrines sometimes have a roof and walls like your shrine today, with religious and family objects inside. They are much more elaborate that the white crosses that you sometimes see along roads in the U.S.
I've seen them everywhere, too, and in many other countries. This one is colorful, though, and here stateside, I notice they're usually not so bright.
thanks for the comment on my blog ;)
I've seen them in the areas of Los Angeles with many Latino/Latina residents. I am always charmed by the flickering candles -- often those long cylindrical ones with pictures of saints on them -- and flowers and photographs of loved ones tucked in and around. I find something deeply moving and human about these.
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