Sicilian Ex Voto

In the Museum of Folk Art and Traditions of Taormina, I stayed for a long time at one of the stands, where there were many small wooden plaques depicting all sorts of unpleasant incidents, often associated with a threat to life or injury. These bright pictures and very emotional pictures are called Ex Voto, they are intended for offering to the Madonna, as a sign of gratitude for the miraculous salvation. The name comes from the Latin phrase ex voto suscepto, which can be translated as "in accordance with the promise". In Christianity, a person who has fallen into a dangerous situation and miraculously escaped death is inclined to believe that this is a manifestation of the goodwill of the supreme deity, and vows to reward him for it. It can be a prayer, a gift from the church and some other benefactor, but in order for the Madonna to understand why she is being honored, it is customary to depict a miraculous salvation in the form of similar artistic miniatures with a description of the event.

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