Holy Holy Child

Another holy child comes from Italy as Santo Bambino di Ara Coeli. Santo Bambino is of pagan origin and was already worshipped by the Romans. Anyway, the (current) Baby Jesus was carved in the 15th century in Jerusalem and fell over board on its way to Rome. Baby Jesus’ journey ended at Livorno, at the feet of a Franciscan who was awaiting its arrival and the stature now stands in the Church of Santa Maria di Ara Coeli on the Capitoline Hill. Not all miracles last forever because the 15th century carving was stolen in 1994 leaving only a copy (as what we have in Cebu) to the worshippers.
As mentioned above, in the Philippines El Santo Niño seems to be everywhere. Quite a number of churches are named after Santo Niño and statutes, paintings, amulets with Santo Niño can be found throughout the country.
The most interesting ‘amulet’ can be found in the streets of Quiapo (part of Metro Manila) which shows Santo Niño’s right hand blessing while his left hand is holding the globe surmounted by a Cross (see picture on the left). The globe with cross is symbolizing the world and the Child’s Kingship. What the blessing is all about is not quite clear. To me it is also not clear why such a kid (5/6 years old, I guess) is having a stiff dick. There must be something really holy about this child.
Besides this pre puberty miracle I do not understand the meaning of this amulet. In my understanding an amulet is an object that protects a person from trouble. What trouble? Stiff dick, holy (underage) child, globe, cross, blessing…..?
Photo from September 2006.
Labels: Art, Philippines, religion
4 Comments:
good questions. Does somebody have an answer?
somebody informed me that the erect penis on the Santo Niño might have its origin in Mexico.
Now we need to get the Latinos into the debate!
Never saw a Santo Niño in the nude in the Philippines. Is this little guy from the Philippines or from South Amrica?
Hi Sidney, this little nude and active fellow can be bought in Quiapo right next to Quiapo Church/Plaza Miranda. Quite striking if you have on the one hand the Black Nazarene which makes Quiapo so famous and on the other the nude child.
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