Hanging along the walls in the front courtyard and inside the upper church are national mosaics of Mary that were donated to “The Church of the Annunciation” from almost every country around the world. There are 43 national mosaics along the south and west walls of the church.
What’s so intriguing about this Annunciation display is that each mosaic bears the characteristics of the contributing nation.
For example, the Chinese Mary seems like a Chinese lady, while baby Jesus Columbia looks South American. It is interesting to see how each nation visualized the annunciation in their own local eyes.
The display of international annunciations sneaks up on the visitors. Of course, we are all there to see the church. But, after a few minutes, all the tourists are looking for the ones from their own country. And everyone admires the ones from each country. It fires the imagination to see how the different peoples of the world envisage Mary in their own image.
Thanks to National Geographic Expeditions, and Meiji Tours for taking us around, and the fun, informative tour.
Jolanta aka Casual Traveler
These mosaics are so beautiful and so different from one another! Thank you for sharing. It comes to show that every nation imagines Mary in their own special way.
Carmen
Hi Jolanta,
It was quite an experience seeing all the mosaics. We walked around looking at all of them. Each unique in it’s own way.
Chris Hudson
Carmen- your pictures of the artwork at the Church of the Annunciation are superb. Please could I use a few of them to illustrate a talk for teachers? I work for a small Christian charity aiming to make Religious education more interesting for schools- and your pictures would serve as excellent visual aids. I would only use them on Powerpoint slides, and not reproduce them in any other way for profit. I would also acknowledge you as a source for the pictures and mention your website.
Carmen
Hi Chris, I would be pleased if you used my pictures for education purposes as long as you acknowledge them as mine, and reference my site.