La Trinacria

Sicily (Sicilia) is the biggest island in the Mediterranean, separated from the mainland by the strait of Messina. Sicily was known by the Romans as Trinacrium, meaning “star with three points.” La "Trinacria" is a 3 legged woman referenced as the symbol of Sicily.

The symbol is the head of Medusa (a head of snakes) surrounded by three bent running legs and three stalks of wheat. The three bent running legs represent the three capes of Sicily: Peloro (Punta del Faro,

Messina – northeast), Passero (Syracuse – south) and Lilibeo (Marsala – west). The three stalks of wheat represent the fertility of the land (the breadbasket of Italy).

The Medusa head in the middle of the Trinacria implies protection by Athena, the patron goddess of Sicily.  It is composed of the head of the Gorgon, whose hair is entwined serpents with ears of corn, from which radiate the three legs bent at the knee. The Gorgon is a mythological figure who was each of the three daughters of two Gods of the sea. The Three daughters were Medusa, Stheno (“strong”), and Euryale (“the large”). Medusa was mainly known for her ability to turn mortal men to stone with one gaze. But the goddess was also known for her help to fight the forces of evil.

The triangular shape came to be in the center of the Sicilian flag in 1943 during WWII and symbolized a plan to help Sicily become independent and a free republic. The symbol made its debut on syracusan coins in the fourth century B.C.

Nowadays, the Trinacria is found on everything from ceramics to fashion houses and represents a unique passion and ties to our Sicilian culture.

Shop my Trinacria Necklace here

La Ruota Del Caretto Siciliano

One of the most recognizable symbols of Sicilian folklore, the Sicilian cart (carretto siciliano) is an ornate, colorful horse- or donkey-drawn cart that originated in the early 19th century in Sicily to transport goods. Carts were used for hauling miscellaneous light loads, such as produce, wood, wine, and people, called “Carretto del Lavoro” (cart for work) and also carts for festive occasions such as weddings and parades called “Carretto de Gara’. The wheels were very light and very high in order to overcome the trecherous terrain of the mountainside. The colors of Sicily's flag, yellow and red, feature prominently on the carts. Nowadays, the wheel has become an iconic symbol in the world of jewelry. Shop my necklace here!

Who Is Padre Pio?

Padre Pio, (also known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina) is Italy's most beloved saint. Born Francesco Forgione on May 25, 1887, in Pietrelcina, a town in the province of Benevento, in the Southern Italian region of Campania. By the time he was five years old, he had already made the decision to dedicate his entire life to God. As a youth, Francesco reported that he had experienced heavenly visions and ecstasies and by the age of 15 he had the Capuchin monastery in Sicily. He performed many miracles and wonders: healings, readings of hearts, prophecies, even bilocations. Padre Pio was 23 years-old when he was diagnosed with Tubuculosis. However the disease later completely disappeared leading many to speculate that this was Padre Pio's first miracle. There are still thousands of people who claim to be healed out of the blue after having prayed, thought or dreamed of him. The phenomenon of bilocation is one of the most remarkable gifts attributed to Padre Pio. His appearances on various of the continents are attested by numerous eye witnesses, who either saw him or smelled the odors characteristically associated with his presence, but he never moved from southern Italy. During the war, witnesses claimed Padre Pio had levitated over the church in his home town, where he had been praying, to stop American planes dropping bombs in the area. But it was in 1931 that Padre Pio gained overnight notoriety when bleeding wounds appeared on the palms of both his hands. The circular injuries, which weeped almost a cup of blood a day, were paralleled to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus and led to the former monk being identified as a stigmatist. The Capuchin friar became famous for being the first priest in history to bear the stigmata – that is, visible and bleeding wounds in his hands and feet. As his popularity continued to increase, locals in San Giovanni Rotondo gave him a position just below Virgin Mary. Padre Pio's stigmata had healed when he died on September 23, 1968, aged 81. In 2002, Pope John Paul II canonised Padre Pio and declared him a saint.

If you or someone you know are a devotee of Padre Pio, then you need this Padre Pio Armcandy from www.orianalamarca.com!