---
title: ex-voto
created: 2007-08-15 19:57
updated: 2007-08-15 20:15
revision: 3
author: Auriea
summary: "Ex-voto is a spanish word meaning votive offering.   In Mexico, an exvoto is most commonly a personal thank you note to God, often taking the form of "
---

[[ElegantMedia]]

*"Ex-voto is a spanish word meaning votive offering.   In Mexico, an exvoto is most commonly a personal thank you note to God, often taking the form of folk art.  In most cases, the exvoto is signed and dated, and explains why the giver is giving thanks - what God did for him or her.  In many cases, they tell a very touching personal story.  The personal story is what makes them so fascinating. The exvoto is most often left at a church altar.  They are very public, yet very personal, professions of faith in God and thanks for favors received. *
 
*The most common reason for thanks is health, with many exvotos dedicated after operations.  Survival of accidents is a close second.  But almost any subject is sufficient to justify creating one, from finding a missing child or pig, to repairing an old car.  They were most often commissioned to a local artist since often the person giving thanks was unable to read or write."*


we saw quite alot of these at the FridaKahlo museum in [[MexicoCity]] when we were there.
it also seems that ex-voto refers to the little medallions and charms in the shapes of body parts found in cathedrals.

see: http://www.realdecatorce.net/exvoto.htm