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Every year, on the night of December 11, churches all across the country are filled with worshipers to celebrate the appearence of the Virgin to Saint Juan Diego. As the tradition says, the Virgin appeared four times between 9 and 12 December 1531.
After long processions, celebration begins at midnight singing "Las Mananitas" as a serenade to the Virgin. In just one day an estimated 5 million people visit the Basilica of Guadalupe to see the image on the tilma (agricultural instrument made of textile fiber  and rectangular shape, it binds over the shoulders by means of two belts  to collect the crop) of Saint Juan Diego.
481 years have passed, the investigations of the origin have not been few or distant, but there are still unknowns that contemporary science has not been able to decipher. The conservation status of the tilma and the origin of color pigments are some mysteries that remain. Some symbologies highlights of the image are:
1. Eyes
Her gaze reflects tenderness and kindness. The Indians did not think proper to look ahead into the eyes, so she has inclined her head in reverence and respect.
2. Mouth
The lower lip was imprinted on the tilma knot, which provides an additional grace.
3. Hands
The hands are together in Western attitude of prayer.
4. Tape
The black bow announces motherhood. The pregnant indigenous girded with a band above the waist and left open the belly.
5. Sunrays
Rays give the image an aura.
6. Mantle
Represents the sky. It has 46 stars, supposedly, in the position they occupied in the sky on December 12, 1531.
7. Robe
It is red and represents the earth. The various figures that bathe the tunic, which are nine floral arrangements, could represent the nine villages pilgrims from Aztlan, as a codex of 1576.
8. The moon
It seems to suggest a certain domain of the image on it. Originally silver, but, over time, has been blackened and peeling some of its details. Nahuatl meaning "Mexico": e-tztli/Moon; xi-ctli/center, , co / in.
9. Clouds
For some Indians, the clouds were associated with height, the elevation of the spirit, which indicated the divine; also announced the arrival of a new era.
10. Slipper
Is ocher. The left knee flexion with downcast eyes may represent the indigenous dance, it was a way of praying.
11. Angel
Could represent Juan Diego. His hands unite earth and sky (mantle and tunic).
12. Hair
The loose hair indicates her maiden status. Married women wore their hair braided.
