Happy Easter (no bunnies in Madrid)

Richard

Thanks for looking.

Cheers,

Skippy

rsinmadrid wrote:

Thanks for looking.
Cheers,

This is a very interesting series you've posted today.
May I ask why do they cover up like that ?
Why do they hide their faces? ..... Skippy
.

ShepsMom

Great photos! Is this how you guys celebrate Easter? What is this tradition and how it come about? I would like to hear about the costumes.

Richard

Thanks Marina and Skippy. I don't know a great deal about the history of the penitent's costume. The pointy hood was first seen during the Inquisition, which began at the end of the fifteenth century. It was meant to humiliate heretics--though humiliation was the least of their problems. The meaning has changed, though. Now the hoods are supposed to bring the wearer closer to heaven, but I really don't know why or when the change of symbolism took place. Not everyone wears the hood, of course, but that's what always shows up in the photos.

Regards,

ShepsMom

Thank you Richard for the little history, it's always good to hear about different cultures!

colourbox

I've seen this on a trip to Seville once. The way it was explained to me, and I don't know if this is any more accurate, is that the penitent (the person repenting) is anonymous to everyone...except God, who knows exactly who they are.

And it really is a penance. The penitents may march for many hours over a long distance across the city and back.

It may be the most spectacular event I've ever witnessed. I've never seen a downtown so jammed with people at 3 a.m. One of these days I'll get the pix off the film and onto Smugmug.

Richard

colourbox wrote:

It may be the most spectacular event I've ever witnessed. I've never seen a downtown so jammed with people at 3 a.m. One of these days I'll get the pix off the film and onto Smugmug.

Yeah, the processions in Sevilla are supposed to be the best in Spain. Maybe they have more to repent there .