LOVING LIFE... A Publication of Love Fellowship Christian Center, Inc. OCT/NOV 4.1 | Page 15

THE BLACK MADONNA
There are others who believe the history of The Black Madonna goes back much further and may in fact
have been originally a pagan goddess that was renamed to transfer worship of the Earth Mother to the
Virgin Mary. This theory has been derived from evidence that they were frequently discovered hidden in
trees or caves in France and Spain as late as the seventeenth century. Legends grew up that suggested
these dark wood statues had magical powers and that they called the chosen finders to hiding places
sometimes deep in undergrowth. Or perhaps they were placed there by priests in order to introduce simple peasants to the pre Christian statue and ultimately into their mainstream religion?
Just as The Black Madonna’s became an icon of worship for many pilgrims, so was hatred of them also
very great; especially among those who consider their darkness as a representation of the malevolent
since the color black is often associated with sinister things; and as a result many statues were decapitated and paintings destroyed.
Regardless, even today these images continue to protect, rescue, heal and cure their congregations with
their true origins and miraculous powers unknown and unexpl Z[?X?K???B??B??????B??B??B????????B?????????B??B??????????B?????B??B??????B???B??B????????B???B?????????????[?[??&\????\?[???\?????B?????