This Thursday the special edition of the Virgen del Pilar measure went on sale again with the colors of the cachirulo, red and black. The success was resounding. Since the early hours of the morning, a queue of thousands of people has been waiting for their turn to buy several measures of the Virgen del Pilar, with this unique print, which has caused a sensation among those most devoted to the patroness of Zaragoza. , Hispanidad and the Civil Guard.
Certainly historical lines that surrounded the entire basilica, up to the Santiago Bridge. A mass phenomenon that flooded the surroundings of the temple and infected the traditional queues that usually form at the gates of the temple to acquire the size of the Virgin, which also saw an increase in its usual influx of pilgrims.
The measurement of the Virgen del Pilar
But how big is the Virgen del Pilar? First of all, it is called so because the length of the ribbon measures 40 cm, and corresponds to the size of the Virgin, (36.5 cm) without counting the Holy Column, which is venerated and kissed, as we began to do it. from the beginning, when the Virgin Mary appeared in mortal flesh in Zaragoza, on January 2, 40, to the apostle Santiago, during his second apostolic journey to Iberia, to comfort him in the difficult task of conversion and evangelization that he met. the peninsula.
Coat protection
The origin of the Zaragoza tradition of worshiping the mantle of the Virgin dates back at least to the 17th century, when it became customary for the sick to seek the mantle of the Virgin of the Pilar to ask for protection. A tradition that still continues today.
Although over time another derivative emerged from the transfer of these commandments, and it was the one that gave birth to the measure of the Virgin, one of the most universal religious articles that became not only a badge of Aragon, but also of Spain.
Where to put it
Believers generally carry it with them, whether in the car, on their wrists, in their suitcases, and especially on headboards and in strollers and cradles, because it is attributed a strong spiritual belief through which the protection is assured. also requested.
Until now, there were 12 colors, including the flags of Spain and Aragon, as well as colors like light blue, fuchsia and green. As a prelude to the Pilar festivities, a new, unique version was launched: the cachirulo, and the inhabitants of Zaragoza took to the streets en masse to acquire theirs.
This new model was sold for two euros, double its usual price (one euro). There are even people who have put them on digital portals and are now asking 30 euros.
The result was long queues of more than three hours to get theirs, although many were left without one. Last Friday 27, 7,000 units were put on sale. This Thursday, October 3, a print run of 8,000 copies was made and they were finished again within a few hours. In addition, it coincided with the day when the Civil Guard celebrated its patron saint, with a parade and the imposition of decorations in Pilar Square.
A very lively morning which served to warm up the engines of the great week of Zaragoza which will begin next Saturday at nine o’clock in the evening with the traditional proclamation of the peñas and will end on October 12 with the majestic offering of flowers to the Virgin, which this This year, Guatemala, as a guest country, to worship him, and for this, a delegation from the Spanish-American country will travel to Zaragoza, made up of the acting ambassador, Carlos Medrano; the brigadier general at the Guatemalan embassy, A. Manolo Tuyuc, and the honorary consul in Zaragoza, Manuel Zalba.
