A reliquary, also a shrine, is a container for relics. It may include bones, pieces of clothing. It is important for Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and many other religions.
While frequently taking the form of caskets, they range in size from simple pendants or rings to very elaborate ossuaries.
Since the relics themselves were considered "more valuable than precious stones and more to be esteemed than gold," it was only appropriate that they be enshrined in containers crafted of or covered with gold, silver, gems, and enamel. Ivory was widely used in the Middle Ages for reliquaries; its pure white color an indication of the holy status of its contents.
Our Lady of Guadalupe (Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe), also known as the Virgin of Guadalupe ( Virgen de Guadalupe), is a Roman Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary associated with a venerated image enshrined within the Minor Basilicia of Our Lady of Guadalope in Mexico City. The basilica is the most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in the world, and the world's third most-visited sacred site. Pope Leo XIII granted the venerated image a Canonical Coronation on 12 October 1895.
I visited the Basilica and it is such a spiritual place. Here's my homage to the Virgen de Guadalupe. My own Secret Shrine.
