In 1531, an image appeared on a poor man’s cloak.
The fabric should have decayed. The colors should not exist.
Yet it endures, and science still can’t explain it.
This is the story of the tilma of our Lady of Guadalupe, a 🧵
The fabric should have decayed. The colors should not exist.
Yet it endures, and science still can’t explain it.
This is the story of the tilma of our Lady of Guadalupe, a 🧵
In December 1531, the Virgin Mary appeared to a poor Indigenous convert named Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill near Mexico City.
She asked him to tell the local bishop to build a church at the site where she stood
She asked him to tell the local bishop to build a church at the site where she stood
At first, Bishop Juan de Zumárraga did not believe him.
Mary then told Diego to gather flowers from the barren summit of Tepeyac Hill as evidence.
It was December, and nothing should have been there.
Yet he found Castile roses, flowers not native to Mexico
Mary then told Diego to gather flowers from the barren summit of Tepeyac Hill as evidence.
It was December, and nothing should have been there.
Yet he found Castile roses, flowers not native to Mexico
Juan Diego carried the roses to the bishop, wrapped in his cloak called a tilmàtli.
When he opened it, the flowers fell to the floor, and the image of the Virgin appeared on the fabric.
The bishop was convinced, and a church was built on Tepeyac Hill soon after
When he opened it, the flowers fell to the floor, and the image of the Virgin appeared on the fabric.
The bishop was convinced, and a church was built on Tepeyac Hill soon after
Yet the miracles did not stop there.
The tilma is made of coarse maguey cactus fiber, a material that typically decays within 20 to 60 years.
This cloak has remained intact for nearly 500 years, enduring humidity, candle smoke, pollution, and frequent handling
The tilma is made of coarse maguey cactus fiber, a material that typically decays within 20 to 60 years.
This cloak has remained intact for nearly 500 years, enduring humidity, candle smoke, pollution, and frequent handling
Infrared and chemical studies by NASA consultant Philip Serna Callahan in 1979–1981 found no undersketch, no brush marks, and no traditional pigments.
The colors appear to float above the surface, with no binding agents
The colors appear to float above the surface, with no binding agents
In 1921, a bomb hidden in flowers exploded under the tilma.
It shattered marble steps and a bronze crucifix, but left the image unharmed and free of any signs of heat or shrapnel.
The photo shows what happened to the crucifix.
The tilma remained fully intact
It shattered marble steps and a bronze crucifix, but left the image unharmed and free of any signs of heat or shrapnel.
The photo shows what happened to the crucifix.
The tilma remained fully intact
Detailed examination of the Virgin’s eyes revealed tiny human figures reflected in them.
These are believed to include Juan Diego, Bishop Juan de Zumárraga, and a translator present during the miracle.
Ophthalmologists have confirmed that these reflections are consistent with how a human eye would capture a scene
These are believed to include Juan Diego, Bishop Juan de Zumárraga, and a translator present during the miracle.
Ophthalmologists have confirmed that these reflections are consistent with how a human eye would capture a scene
The 46 stars on Mary’s mantle correspond precisely to the constellations visible above Mexico City before dawn on December 12, 1531, the day of the miracle.
They appear inverted, as if viewed from space, not earth
They appear inverted, as if viewed from space, not earth
Nearly 500 years later, the tilma still resists every natural explanation.
It should have rotted. It should have faded. It should have never formed.
Yet it remains
It should have rotted. It should have faded. It should have never formed.
Yet it remains
There was no known technology in the 16th century that could have produced the image on the tilma.
The surface shows no sketch marks, no brush strokes, and no identifiable pigments.
The level of detail is astonishing.
The conclusion is simple: it is a miracle.
The surface shows no sketch marks, no brush strokes, and no identifiable pigments.
The level of detail is astonishing.
The conclusion is simple: it is a miracle.
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