July 22nd is the feast day of St Mary Magdalene. In this post I look at the spiritual meaning of the Mary Magdalene, her symbols and her meaning in astrology. Mary is honoured as being the very first person to witness the resurrected Christ after his crucifixion.
Mary Magdalene meaning
Mary Magdalene’s steadfast devotion to Jesus earned her a prominent place in the Gospel. Mary Magdalene is the patron saint of the contemplative life, converts, glove makers, hairstylists, penitent sinners, fallen women, people ridiculed for their piety, perfumeries and perfumers, pharmacists, and women. Her conversion from a life of sin to a life of deep spirituality is an embodiment of God’s forgiveness and the transformative power of faith.
Nowhere in the bible is it written that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute, only that Jesus released her of seven demons. Possibly she was a lusty woman who acted more like a man than most modest woman of her time, who knows. Some accounts online say Mary is also the patron saint of addicts. So I would say she is a great saint to pray to for sex and love addiction problems! Other than that Mary Magdalene was a wealthy woman, so her sins were probably related to the trappings of wealth, privilege and the pride and indulgences that come with it. After Mary converted she lived a modest life of solitude and fasting.
Mary Magdalene Symbolism in Paintings
Throughout art history, various symbols have been associated with Mary Magdalene in paintings. These symbols help deepen our understanding of her significance and serve as visual reminders of her devotion and spiritual journey.
The Jar of Perfume: One of the most common symbols is the jar of perfume, representing Mary Magdalene’s act of anointing Jesus’ feet with costly ointment. This act of profound love and reverence is depicted in several artistic renditions and symbolizes her devotion to Christ.
Red Hair: Mary Magdalene is often portrayed with vibrant red hair, expressing her fiery and passionate personality. This distinctive feature depicts her strength, determination, and unwavering faith.
Skull: Another symbol associated with Mary Magdalene is the skull, which represents her contemplation of death, resurrection and the ephemeral nature of earthly existence. It serves as a reminder of her introspective nature and profound spiritual insights.
A Red Egg. Byzantine paintings often have Mary holding a red egg. When Mary announced to the Roman Emperor that Jesus had risen he mocked her, saying that Jesus had no more risen than the egg in her hand was red. Immediately, the egg turned red as a sign from God. Of course, eggs are also a symbol of resurrection.
FYY. I have asteroid Magdalena conjunction my Moon and MC. As a twice-divorced fallen woman, former adulterer, re-convert, essential oil lover, hair colorist and advocate of the divine feminine, this woman is my saint!
