These eyes are iconography known as an ex-voto. Ex-votos, which are most often in the form of body parts, are very common in Sicily. They are given to a saint or divinity at his or her sanctuary by pilgrims as gratitude for healing of an ailment or grace received. These eyes pictured, were given to…
Tag: exvotos
Body Parts
Ex-votos, such as these in the shape of body parts, decorate the entrance of the shrine of Santa Rosalia at the top of Mount Pellegrino. They were given to the saint as gratitude for healing received—in this case, for ailments of the lungs, internal organs, breasts, and back. Ex-votos are very common in Sicily. #palermo…