Among all the mysteries surrounding the Virgin of Guadalupe, none has generated as much impact – nor as much research – as what appears in her eyes. The image captured in Juan Diego’s tilma has been analyzed by photographers, scientists, ophthalmologists and digitalization experts for more than a century.
And, in spite of technological advances, what can be seen in their pupils continues to be one of the most fascinating and difficult to explain areas of the Guadeloupean altar.
The mystery of the Guadalupana’s eyes
It all began in 1929, when the Basilica’s photographer, Alfonso Marcué, claimed to detect what appeared to be the reflection of a bearded man in the Virgin’s eyes.
Decades later, in the 1950’s, the ophthalmologist Francisco Torrija examined the image with medical instruments and assured that the eyes showed the phenomenon of accommodation, something that occurs only in living human eyes.
Their findings prompted further studies to determine whether the image contained real optical effects, or whether they were visual interpretations.
The best known analysis was carried out in 1979, when Peruvian engineer José Aste Tonsmann digitized high-resolution images of the tilma using NASA technology.
After enlarging the area of the eyes thousands of times, he claimed to find several human figures reflected, as if the Virgin was “in front of a group of people” at the moment the image appeared.
According to their study, they distinguish what appear to be:
An indigenous man looking down.
A group of people gathered together.
The figure of an older man with a beard.
These findings coincide with what tradition narrates about the moment when Juan Diego unfolded his ayate in front of Bishop Zumárraga.
What does the Catholic Church say?
Tu donativo brinda terapias, esperanza y un futuro sin límites a niños con discapacidad. Haz la diferencia hoy.
Dona y cambia vidas
The Catholic Church has never officially declared these reflections to be miraculous; however, neither has it denied them.
What he has confirmed is that the tilma has been subjected to rigorous analysis and that there is no added paint in the eye area, no visible brushstrokes, and no alterations detected under infrared analysis.
For the Hispanic community in the United States, this mystery carries special weight.
Many immigrants find in the Virgin of Guadalupe a symbol of accompaniment, protection and cultural roots that connect them to their history and faith.
The mere fact that thousands of devotees travel from California, Texas, Illinois or New York to see her in Mexico City shows the impact that her image maintains almost 500 years later.
The mystery of her eyes continues to be studied and debated, but for millions of Guadalupanos, what is seen in the tilma is beyond science.
It represents the gaze of a mother who accompanies, protects and remains alive in the hearts of Latinos, inside and outside their homeland.
Filed under: Eyes of the Virgin of Guadalupe
