Sacred Hearts In Mexican Folk Art

Alpaca Sacred Heart, Mexican Folk Art

The Sacred Heart is one of the most common motifs in religious folk art created in Mexico. The idea is that the physical heart of Jesus is a symbol of his divine love for humanity. The Mexican folk art sacred heart comes in various forms–with flames around it, with a crown, with a dagger through the center and sometimes with a crown of thorns–and all represent the same thing, Jesus’ compassion for humanity. In some Christian paintings it is depicted as a flaming heart shining with divine light, pierced by the lance-wound, encircled by the crown of thorns, topped  by a cross and bleeding.  The bleeding and wounds and crown of thorns allude to the manner of Jesus’ death while the fire stands for the transformative power of God’s love.

And of course, you know that almost everyone in Mexico is Catholic so these images are commonly seen throughout the country…

Mexican folk art, Sacred Heart

Here are a few interpretations of the sacred heart by some of Mexico’s folk artists. The two hearts above, hang on the wall. One is shiny nickel silver  (5″ tall) and other is a patina-ed nickel silver or alpaca (7″ tall). They are $38 for the shiny one and $28 for the darker one.

The two sets of earrings below are made of silver and come from Taxco, Mexico. The lovely crowned earrings are $38 and the pendant, $30. The stunning, oxidized earrings with lovebirds and a flaming heart are $78.  Click on the photo of the earring to take you to the online store.

Contact us through the form below if you are interested in purchasing the sacred hearts above or anything else!

To see what else we have for sale in the online shop, click here.

Silver jewelry, Sterling silver earrings from Mexico

Silver jewelry, Sterling silver earrings from Mexico, Sacred Heart


Write a Winning Limerick Testimonial about Zinnia Folk Arts and Choose a Mexican Folk Art Gift!

Write a Limerick Testimonial about Zinnia Folk Arts and Choose a Gift!

Love to write limericks? Or never done it before but would like to win one of the four amazing pieces of Mexican folk art in the photo?

As you know, our First Birthday is coming up soon and to celebrate we’re offering a choice of one of the four pieces pictured here (all valued between $150-$225) to the winning testimonial limerick. Here are the rules:

1. Write an awesome limerick about Zinnia Folk Arts and what you love about it.
1.1 You may submit as many as you like.
1.2  Relatives and friends may submit anonymously by sending via snail mail to Zinnia, 826 W 50th, Mpls 55491. Put a number on the limerick so it can be identified.
2. Submit it to Anne at info@ZinniaFolkArts.com by Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 4:00 CST either in the shop or online.
3. The winner will be notified on Tuesday, May 7, 2013.
4. All entrants agree to permit Zinnia Folk Arts to use their limerick testimonial in online and shop promotion, with credit.
5. The winner chooses one of the four pieces featured in this photo–large wood tigre mask, large hammered tin mirror, large wood hand covered on both sides with milagros or the large blue (no lead) Metepec platter
6. Winner will pick up the gift in the shop at 826 West 50th St., Minneapolis. If the winner lives outside of Minneapolis, the winner will pay for shipping costs.
7. Questions? Please ask!

Here’s some inspiration!

There was a young belle of old Natchez
Whose garments were always in patchez.
When comments arose
On the state of her clothes,
She replied, “When Ah itchez, Ah scratchez.”
—Ogden Nash

There was a young lady named Bright
Who traveled much faster than light.
She set out one day,
In a relative way,
And came back the previous night.
—Anonymous


Grand Opening of New Mexican Folk Art Shop in Minneapolis!

Mexican Folk Arts Shop Opening in Minneapolis

Mexican Folk Arts Shop Opening in Minneapolis


Unpacking the latest Mexican Folk Art Shipment

Ceramics from Delores HidalgoNicho Box with angelMilagro ObjectsSacred HeartsEmbroidered textilesMexican Tin Stars

Here’s  a sneak peek of a small number of the items that were in the last shipment. This is from the trip I took in January and February! So unpacking everything is a little like opening Christmas presents for me.  Everything will be going to the shop at 826 West 50th and will be available when we open but if you see something and can’t wait, let me know through this handy form….Saludos!


New Carved Wood Hearts covered in Milagros

Carved Wood Hearts covered in Milagros

Hola! Just received a shipment of new hearts covered in milagros…some with beautiful golden wings, others are smaller or larger than we usually carry.

Check them out on our website, right here!


Getting Ready for Valentine’s Day with Mexican Milagros

Metal milagros on wooden hearts

These lovely wooden hearts are covered in small metal charms known as milagros. Milagro means “miracle” and these tiny religious charms  depict legs, arms, hearts, breasts, ears, animals, people praying (just about anything really!) and are generally used to thank or request religious help for a specific problem. When they are not being used by an artisan, they are pinned on the clothing of a saint in Mexican churches or are attached to ribbons to be hung on a church or home altar. The milagros can be made of brass, pewter, pot metal, tin, and even silver. They are especially prevalent in Mexico and Peru but are also seen in Europe and can be known as “ex-votos.”

They can be found right here.



Unique Gifts? We’ve got them! Where? Zinnia Folk Arts at GUILD

Zinnia Folk Arts at GUILD
4414 Excelsior Blvd
St. Louis Park, MN

Friday & Saturday,  Dec 16, 17: 10-6
Sunday, Dec 18:  12-5
Monday-Friday, Dec 19-23: 10-6 (Yes, we’re open on Monday next week)
Saturday, Dec 24: 10-3
CLOSED on Christmas & Monday, Dec 26
Tuesday, Dec 27: 10-6

Select Online orders by Saturday, Dec 17 to assure Christmas delivery


Mexican Milagros

Milagros (“milagro” means “miracle” in Spanish) are religious charms that are prevalent throughout Mexico and are traditionally used to request a “miracle” or thank the deities for miracles that have already happened. One can find milagros depicting legs, arms, breast, eyes, cows, pigs, hearts, lungs–just about anything that one would need help with or for which one may have received help.  Mexicans purchase milagros that are meaningful to them, attach them to altars, shrines, and sacred objects found in places of worship, and pray for help with illnesses, relationships, animals or just about everything. Remember 99% of Mexico is Catholic. Milagros can be purchased in churches or from street vendors outside of the church.

Milagros come in lots of shapes and sizes and are made from many different materials. They might be made of gold, silver, tin, lead, wood, or even wax. One of the most common shapes is the heart, like the one in the second photo. These particular milagros are made of pot metal and are lovely and quite large (approximately 4″ tall). Smaller lead milagros have been used by an artisan to decorate the wooden hearts shown in the top photograph. Every wooden heart contains a different assortment of milagros.

We also have wooden hearts with milagros with tin wings at the shop. Stop in to see them! Or you can shop online right here...