Habsburg Spain

The wide base represents her earthly foundation and intercession for humanity, while the narrow apex directly points to heaven, positioning her as scala caeli or the ladder to heaven.

The triangular mantle reflects the rigid regal court attire of the Habsburg Spain.

Dressing the Virgin in this royal court aesthetic presented her as the supreme queen of heaven and earth, worthy of divine royal homage.

In many historic shrines, such as Our Lady of Guadalupe of Extremadura, the original image was an early medieval Romanesque wooden statue carved entirely with solid painted drapery.