Retablos

I found a strange tumblr blog that collects and translates south american retablos.

I, Crecencio Soto, pay, with this retablo, the Virgin of Guadalupe for having worked a miracle of not being drowned by a mermaid who enchanted me with her beauty and wanted to make little mermaids with me.

Cancun, 1980

Felix Orozco gives infinite thanks to the Holy Heart because the bat-woman didn’t suck my blood out. She was very horrible but you saved me.

Oaxaca, 1943

Margarito Navas dedicates this retablo because I was attacked by the crocodile woman. She wanted to attack me and tear my eyes out but I escaped.

Mexico, March 14, 1984

Demetrio Vargas went to swim. I fainted, but a mermaid piggy saved my life from drowning.

Veracruz, December 4, 1955

Shepherd Rodrigo Rivera was looking after his livestock when suddenly a flying saucer appeared. It took a cow and then disappeared. He gives infinite thanks to Saint Charbel for he didn’t suffer any harm and those martian dummies took a sick cow.

Puebla, 1949

I testify for such an incredible story that happened on June 26, 1974, when Mario was swimming in beautiful Tulum and suddenly, from the bottom of a cave, emerged an enormous and threatening creature that looked like a giant red octopus, with enormous tentacles and only one vile eye. It attacked Mario who tried to escape but the beast grabbed him with his repugnant snout. I implore to the Holy Spirit for intervention, and the evil being let him go, so Mario managed to survive.

Tulum, Mexico

After collecting a few I had to know more.

About retablos

Retablos and ex-votos are the votive paintings offered to a saint in gratitude for miraculous help, healing or escape from a dangerous situation. The art of retablo was rediscovered by modern artists in the 20th century. Pseudo-folk retablos have become a form of postmodern art. There has been growing popularity for retablos among tourists and collectors during the last years.

Another answer in the faq says the retablos are real but the stories are fake so I guess they were created for the fun of it - and Mexicans have been doing this for at least the last 100 years?

About fake

These are real retablos, not fake ones. However, the stories are mostly fictional. Although these stories probably never happened, there’s no need to be disappointed because it’s fun.

posted by na on December 14, 2021 17:19