“A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” -Revelation 12:1

Have you ever noticed the Blessed Virgin Mary wearing a crown of twelve stars? Maybe you have wondered about the significance of the twelve stars? It is filled with symbolic significance that begins from the Book of Revelation. “[…] and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” The stars around Mary’s head are not only decorative, they serve as a reminder for us. But there is more!

Connecting the Old & New Testaments

After sin entered the world through Eve, the Kingdom of God slowly broke apart. First, we saw the Twelve Tribes divide. Then, the Northern Tribe of Israel is broken and scattered. We then witness Mary bring forth Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through her fiat. Christ’s ministry is to unite the very believers that fractured and divided before His first coming. Mary, considered the New Eve, helped usher in the reunification of the Kingdom of God through her Son.

Mary and her crown of twelve stars is a reminder to us. A reminder of where our faith started and the trials and challenges He allowed for our enrichment. Each star also reminds us of the Twelve Apostles and the lives they lived for Christ. We look toward the Apostles as an example of how we too can spread the Kingdom of God. Mary, wearing her crown of stars, is an example of an unwavering disciple. Our Lady shows us how to be loyal, humble and steadfast throughout the trials that may befall us. Through our heavenly mother, we are also reminded of the shining glory that awaits us.

The Crown of Stars in Your Life

This heavenly reminder is a powerful one to pray with regularly. Bring the reminder of where our faith began and where it is now into your church or home. Incorporate images or statues of Mary with her crown of stars visual gift of where our faith started. Also, let it serve as a vision of where we should strive to be as a disciple of Christ. The image of the Immaculate Mary is one that almost always has Mary with a crown of stars. You can also find other works that weave this imagery into them, like my latest work Queen Mother. Take the time to stop and notice the small details of sacred art. Each work paints a bigger picture than we may initially realize and is steeped in deep symbolism.

Pair these beautiful visuals of Our Lady, crowned with stars, with prayer to elevate your prayer life. Immerse yourself in prayer by praying the Triple Crown of the Twelve Stars of the Blessed Virgin Chaplet. This chaplet can be found on the Confraternity of Our Lady of Fatima’s website here. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your prayer with these tools.