Chapter 2 – Why is the worship of the Holy Death Expanding?

To answer this question you are going to understand me very easily. Almost all of us come from religions that threaten or suggest that things will go wrong if we act or think badly.

At some point in our lives, we have all been angry, we have all screamed or we have all said something in a moment of heat. This is part of human nature.

What difference is there with the cult of the Santisima Muerte (the Most Holy Death), La Nina Bonita (the Pretty Girl), La Flaca (the Skinny), La Flaquita (the Skinny Lady), La Santa Patrona (the Patron Saint), la Catrina…?

Well, you can ask for anything and we all, basically, deserve to have the same help without any difference, without judging our past, or what we have done; you must only look forward: it does not matter if you are a peasant or a king.

We all have a common moment in our lives in which we know we must cross the line without the certainty of knowing where we are going.

If all our material possessions were taken away and we were told that we had to go, that the hour of our death had arrived… the first thing we would do would be to take care of our loved ones, and we would put everything in order in one way or another. But, what none of us would forget then, is that the most important thing is to have a good death, a peaceful death and with no pain.

Since the Most Holy Death helps and protects everyone she has been wrongly labelled, for a short time, as something negative.

The people who ask and pray to her have found great relief and consolation and that is why her worship and spreading is done through her own devotees, transmitting the cult orally from parents to children.

Chapter 3 – The representation of the Holy Death and its forms

The Holy Death may be represented in different ways, as a male or a female figure; as a masculine figure, it is gloomily dressed and has a scythe and a rosary; as a feminine figure, it is dressed in a long white satin robe and has a golden crown.

The Holy Death may also be represented as a skull, a skeleton covered with a robe, sometimes holding a scale -which means equality for all- or with a scythe, as an elderly woman or as a pretty young woman, dressed in white, in black, in red, in yellow, or in other colours, or also as a man in humble clothes.

The most frequent representations are in prints, either in black and white or in colours. They are made of resin, glass, metal, papier-mâché, wood, bone, etc., and consecrated according to the person who makes them.

The Holy Death sitting

The Holy Death is sitting on a kind of throne watching the world, and is a faithful servant of the Universal Creator. The figure is holding a scythe or a balance (with which the world is balanced between the spiritual and economic side), and is accompanied by an animal that represents the underworld, such as the owl. In the other hand, there is a scythe which represents the mutilation of all negative energy, wherever this figure is placed. For Law Offices, the ideal colour is green.

Sitting on the world

The strength of this figure is in the orb, it is used more as a reference to its strength than as a special form for making requests. It is used with other images. The head tilts upwards indicating that the Holy Death always looks like this at the Creator of all visible and invisible things. This position suggests that the Holy Death will always be His faithful servant and that of all existing things. This figure is always dressed with a robe and is holding a scythe, which symbolizes the tool needed to cut all bad energy that affects the human beings.

Sitting on the floor

This image is used as a symbol of humility and devotion. It is placed on simple altars, but it is as powerful as any other figure.

Standing

This is the most well-known position. It is a whole-body figure covered with a robe from head to toe, with a strip round the waist, and the sleeves of the cloak covering three quarters of the body. The figure is holding the world (which represents that the power of God over all life existing in this world is in its hands), a book, a scythe, a torch or a scale.

This Holy Death transmits strength and majesty, it symbolizes protection and sanctity.

This figure can be found in other Catholic altars, since it is the equivalent to the Christian Virgin.

Wherever this skeletal figure is placed, it is always seen with great respect and spiritual firmness. It has been represented with the great mystical depth of the white colour. The robe represents personal progress, health and prosperity in any aspect.

With open arms

It represents the defence, protection and benevolence of a mother. No matter what social class you belong to, you will always be welcomed into her arms. The Holy Death will help you in any situation, no matter how difficult it may be. The robe is baggier. In one hand there is the world, and in the other, a scythe. This figure may be placed with other images as backup.

With an owl

The owl, that symbolizes the bond with the underground force, protects and stops all evil, it rejects and returns the negative energy.

The owl is an animal that warns you when there is hatred or evil in the environment. It is used in altars for protection and rejection.

The owl is usually between the feet.

The owl is a mystical animal par excellence that feeds at night since it has nightlife.

It is an animal that is always vigilant and watching that no evil energy or curse goes where this figure is placed and is one of the most akin to the Holy Death.

With a hourglass

This figure is usually standing and bent a little forward, dressed in a cloak and holding an hourglass.

It represents the time consumed by each living being, on the earthly plane. In the other hand there is an oil lamp, which represents the spiritual light of each devotee so the Holy Death can guide him or her in any situation no matter how difficult it may be.

From papier-mâché

These figures have their own energy because they are true works of art. They are hand-made and they are never the same, neither in size, shape or how they are painted or decorated. Papier-mâché figures are especially unique.

Pious

This form of Holy Death is sitting down, holding or carrying a human being.

This figure is holding the body of a person with one hand and his/her legs with the other. The head is slightly raised and looking forwards and upwards, begging for the Creator’s clemency for the devotees and for a fair trial; this Holy Death is always wearing a cloak.

If you have this figure, spiritual peace, abundance and harmony are granted.

Chapter 4 – Her Symbols

Scythe

The scythe is used to cut off all the negative energies sent by our enemies and free ourselves from any influence or evil sent to us.

Since scythes are also used to till, it symbolizes the harvest of a new hope and brings prosperity. In general, it cuts negative energies and provides security.

The Earth

The Earth represents the physical, economic or material part. It also contains the spiritual images that are concentrated in certain moments of time. It is the representation of the afterlife.

Having the world in the hand of the Holy Death means that you will achieve power in any field, and you will be ensured success in whatever you start. It gives you confidence, security, success, leadership ability, conquest and independence.

Hourglass

It is associated with the god of time in Greek mythology. It is a symbol of investment and the relationships between the afterlife and this world.

It has been linked to the ideas of perpetual movement of magical and divine beings.

The sand governs the time in our lives; we don’t have to live fast, but with full awareness of what we do and without looking for problems or complications. It helps us to have patience and to have confidence that all the proposed goals in life will be achieved, without hesitation.

We ask the Holy Death to have the time in our favour for what we need, whether slow or fast.

Owl

The owl is a nocturnal animal, whose sight is very sharp and has an infallible sense of direction. It represents our eyes and feelings. It helps us to move forward, despite being blind and confused by adversity.

We may not see the way out of a problem, but the owl will help us to stay the course in life and in the right direction.

It is also related to wisdom, helping to overcome your cultural expectations to act wisely. It boosts intelligence.

One of its skills is to act as the messenger of the Holy Death; therefore, it is useful for asking favours. In general, it helps to improve our intelligence, knowledge, ideas, creativity and orientation.

Lamp or lantern

It is a symbol of spirituality and intelligence. Light always shows us the right direction, the clarity and the decisions that will be taken in life. We can move forward if there is light.

It also accompanies us in times of darkness, or when we see that everything is a problem. It lifts us from ignorance and leads us to the truth. It makes us search within ourselves and think about the solutions to possible problems, without losing confidence in solving them.

It helps to have spiritual peace, clarity and harmony.

Scales

It is the mystical symbol par excellence of justice (Themis, the goddess of justice also carries a scale), and is of Chaldean origin. It is the balance between punishment and guilt.

The most common form of scale has two hanging plates -both the same size- arranged symmetrically, indicating that justice is impartial.

If the plates are asymmetrical, punishment and self-destructive forces are triggered, since the balance is broken.

It is associated with our balance, and the achievement of inner peace and happiness. In general, it helps us to have stability, peace, strength, security and self-confidence.

Chapter 5 – The colours of the Holy Death

The colours of the Holy Death’s cloak or robe have a special meaning. If the robe covers her from head to feet, it symbolises the way we try to hide our true personality, what we show is not what we are.

The cloth that covers the skeleton that represents the Lady is what we, as humans, try to disguise.

Our skin and our face is what we show: it’s unique and beautiful. But if we dig, we find the bones, the skull, which makes us all equal before the fate that awaits us which is Death.

White, black and red are the colours mostly used, but I hereby describe in detail all the other colours and their meaning.

Gold:

This colour represents economic power, money, success, liquidity. It is ideal for businesses or shops. The cloak should be all gold to enhance these qualities. It opens the roads in the economic aspect.

Bone or natural:

Natural colour helps to maintain peace, harmony and success wherever the figure is placed.

This colour is highly recommended for homes and businesses.

Red:

This colour has been related with love, sex and passion. It helps to maintain harmony with our partner and the people around us.

It represents emotional stability, it is ideal to have harmony in your family and that all the members of your house support each other.

If the figure is standing and has an owl between the feet, it represents everything related to love.

White:

It represents tranquillity and peace, total purification wherever the figure is placed. It helps to cleanse all the negative energy, mainly in homes where jealousies and family grudges abound.

Green:

This colour is associated with justice or legal issues.

It is advisable to have this figure in law firms.

It is very venerated by this group.

Amber:

This colour is used to treat drug addictions and alcoholism. It can be found in rehabilitation centres. The name of the sick person is usually placed under the image of the Most Holy Death and works wonderful and miraculous results with the patient.

Black:

It represents the total protection in our home or business: it avoids the bad influences of any work, negative energy, black magic, palo mayombe, santería, voodoo, etc. either against your family or in a business. It unlocks any spiritual damage made against you.

It also helps the person who owns this figure to achieve his/her goals and objectives without anybody bothering or finding out, hiding his/her true intentions in the eyes of potential enemies.

Blue:

It represents wisdom. It is the colour associated with studies and people related to teaching, since it helps to understand better and to explain ideas correctly. It enhances concentration.

Purple:

It represents transmutation; it changes negative energy to positive energy. It is also associated with health at any level, both spiritual and physical. This colour was widely used by shamans and healers. Some spiritual brothers also consider white a symbol of being healthy.

Yellow:

It is related to liquidity, prosperity and economic success, ideal for any type of business. It also implies strength and energy.

Pink:

It is related to love relationships, for finding a partner and for emotional stability. It is also associated with pride, feelings, softening hard hearts and everything related to feminine and friendship.

Silver:

Silver is linked to economic situations, considered as the colour of fortune or abundance it helps to bring money and success. People who spend their time and money gambling seek this colour.

Gamblers may sometimes be seen with a malachite stone or a silver-coloured Holy Death. Silver is also one of the best energy drivers and, when gambling, people always look for good energy for good luck.

Copper or grey:

By nature this colour represents firmness, and it is also related to economic issues.

In addition, it is also frequently used in rituals to disrupt any negative energy that may be in our path. It helps to unblock any economic problem, and to conclude or close any pending business. That is why this colour was included in the Holy Death’s cloak.

Coffee:

It facilitates communication with the supernatural, with the afterlife. It improves concentration and telepathy.

7 colours:

The Holy Death usually appears standing, with the position of firmness and security that characterises her, as the great spiritual lady and entity of light that she is.