Tri-DENT
Mexican Cartel / Drug Trafficking "Saints"
The existence of Malverde a.k.a. 'El Rey Guei de Sinaloa' is not historically verified,but according to local legends he was a bandit killed by the authorities on May 3 1909. Accounts of his life vary – sometimes he was a railway worker, while others claim he was a construction worker. There is also no agreement on the way he died, being variously hanged or shot. Moreover, the tree where he was hanged dried and never was green again.
Since Malverde's death, he has earned a Robin Hood-type image, making him popular among Sinaloa's poor highland residents. The outlaw image has caused him to be adopted as the "patron saint" of the region's illegal drug trade, and the press have thus dubbed him "the narco-saint." However, his intercession is also sought by those with troubles of various kinds, and a number of supposed miracles have been locally attributed to him, including personal healings and blessings.
Malverde's shrine, near a railway track in Culiacán, Mexico, attracts thousands of devotees each year. They often leave candles or other artifacts from their lives. Fishermen leave shrimp in bottles of formaldehyde. People also leave photos of those in need of help. When miracles are granted, they return to thank Malverde, often leaving plaques commemorating the miracle.
On 23 March 2009 a shrine of Malverde near Tijuana and thirty shrines of La Santa Muerte found near the Mexico-United States border (la frontera) were destroyed by Mexican authorities in an effort to combat against the increased drug-trafficking related violence in the region. José Manuel Valenzuela Arce, a researcher at the Colegio de la Frontera Norte, a Tijuana-based think tank commented, "Destroying these chapels is not going to do anything to diminish crime... someone who's going to commit a crime could just as easily go to a Catholic church as a Santa Muerte shrine, or go nowhere at all.”
Santa Muerte is referred to by a number of other names such as Señora de las Sombras ("Lady of the Shadows"), Señora Blanca ("White Lady"), Señora Negra ("Black Lady"), Niña Santa ("Holy Girl") and La Flaca ("The Skinny One").Images of Santa Muerte are generally individualistic and personal. No two are exactly the same. Sizes vary immensely from small images held in one hand to those requiring a pickup truck to move. Some people even have the image tattooed on their bodies.The appearance of the "Black Lady", "White Lady", etc. vary, but all are dressed either in long robes or (less commonly) long dresses, covered from head to feet with only the face and hands showing. This symbolizes how people hide their true selves from the rest of the world. The robe or dress covers the skeletal figure like flesh covers the bones of the living. Both are said eventually to fall away.The most common image is Santa Muerte in a robe, with a scythe in the right hand and the globe in the left. The robed image of Santa Muerte looks a bit like that of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico. However, there are many variations of the robe’s color, and what Santa Muerte holds in her hands. Interpretations of robe color and carried objects can vary as well.
The two most common objects that Santa Muerte carries are a scythe and a globe. The scythe can symbolize the cutting of negative energies or influences. Also, as a harvesting tool, it can symbolize hope and prosperity.It can represent the moment of death, when a scythe is said to cut a silver thread. The scythe has a long handle, indicating that it can reach anywhere. The globe represents Death’s dominion,and can be seen as a kind of a tomb to which we all return. Having the world in her hand also symbolizes vast power.
Other objects that can appear with an image of Santa Muerte include weighing scales, an hourglass, an owl and/or a lamp.The scales allude to equity, justice and impartiality, as well as divine will.An hourglass indicates the time of life on earth. It also represents the belief that death is not the end, but rather the beginning of something new, as the hourglass can be turned to start over.The hourglass denotes Santa Muerte’s relationship with time as well as with the worlds above and below. It also symbolizes patience. An owl symbolizes her ability to navigate the darkness and her wisdom. The owl is also said to act as a messenger of Santa Muerte. A lamp symbolizes intelligence and spirit, to light the way through the darkness of ignorance and doubt.
Often, Santa Muerte stands near statues of Catholic images of Jesus, the Virgin of Guadalupe, St. Peter or St. Lazarus.In the north of Mexico, Santa Muerte is venerated alongside Jesús Malverde, with altars containing both frequently found in drug busts.However, some warn that Santa Muerte is very jealous and that her image should not be placed next to Catholic saints or there will be consequences.