Functionality and symbolism of religious holy cards: an introduction to sacred iconography
Their main functionality is to accompany prayers, as they have become particularly widespread as objects of personal devotion. People use them to pray, to remember the saints and to find spiritual comfort, and for this reason they are often kept at home, taken with them or placed in places of prayer.
In addition, they can also be used as a gift for loved ones to whom you choose to give protection.
The symbolism of religious holy cards varies according to the sacred iconography to which reference is made.
For example, the figure of Our Lady represents divine motherhood and protection, while that of St. Joseph symbolizes the wisdom and strength of work.
Their realization can be made of different materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic, trimmings, lace, fabric and cotton fiber.
Curiosity behind the production and diffusion of religious holy cards
Often we do not know the story behind their production and diffusion in Italy. It is very interesting to know that the production of holy cards developed from the sixteenth century, but it was especially in the nineteenth century that these objects became commonplace. The spread of religious holy cards, in fact, is also linked to the history of printing and the spread of popular culture. In fact, the production was often linked to that of calendars and almanacs, which represented a tool for spreading knowledge
