The Symbols of Santa Muerte

Some images of the Santa Muerte may be found with different symbols, holding different items in her hands or including different objects at her feet.  A common image is of Santa Muerte carrying a scythe and a world globe.  The following are the most common symbols.

The Scythe…

The scythe or sickle has several meanings; first it is symbolic of endings.  This doesn’t necessarily meaning the ending of a lifespan, although in certain conditions it is a symbol of death itself.  It can also mean the ending of a time period, a routine, a dispute, an adventure, a relationship, etc...  Endings come in many forms.  Santa Muerte uses her scythe to cut away a persons link to something.  It is also symbolic of death since its believed by her followers that when a persons time is up she is the one who comes to escort the soul into the next existence.  In this instance her scythe cuts the remaining ties to our worldly life.  The scythe is also a symbol of harvest, prosperity, and hope.  It can be said that the scythe she holds is a symbol of harvesting our dreams and desires.  A sign of a persons request made to her will flourish, grow, and manifest.  It cuts away obstacles that hold a person from making progress and clears a path for guidance.  In addition, the scythe can symbolize power and strength.  This can be in many forms.  It can symbolize the power and strength that Santa Muerte herself carries over all humans and over her realm of the dead.  It can also indicate power and strength in a person’s spellwork with Santa Muerte, or power and strength over enemies. 

The World Globe…

The world globe represents Santa Muerte’s power over the entire world.  She is not held back or limited to whom she can rule.  She will eventually claim everyone living on earth.  Santa Muerte is not limited to location or held back by time or space.  She can claim judgment at any given moment.  There are no boundaries.  It’s believed that after God, death (Santa Muerte) is the most powerful figure in the world, since without death there is no life, there is no existence.  The globe is an indication that Santa Muerte rules over all race, religion, culture, and belief.....she’s just known by other names....but most, if not all, religions have a ruler over death.  Here, we call her Santa Muerte. 

The Owl…

The owl is symbolic of darkness, nighttime, and keen vision.  Santa Muerte’s owl companion indicates powerful guidance for those who ask.  Many people take their problems and questions to Santa Muerte because they seek the knowledge and a solution....an answer to their blindness.  Blindness because they “see” no solution.  The owl’s sharp vision offers the light a person needs to overcome blindness.  It guides a person to solution and success.  The owl is also connected to great wisdom and intelligence, hence the term “that wise old owl”.  Santa Muerte’s owl companion is her messenger.  Oftentimes a person who works with Santa Muerte will have visions of an owl through dreams.  These dreams are commonly discovered to contain important messages Santa Muerte wishes to share with one of her followers.  Owls have also been seen during waking hours as well or the hoot of an owl, although it is not visible, can be heard. 

The Hourglass…

The hourglass, or sandglass, symbolizes the hands of time.  Each grain of sand is a moment of time itself.  Each grain that her hourglass contains is indication of a person’s lifespan.  When the hourglass is empty, life on earth is over.  At the same time death is a continuation of life.  This continuation can be in another realm or again here on earth.  Some people believe that when a person gets a calling from Santa Muerte each gain of sand in their hourglass are actually tiny microscopic skull and pieces of bone.  The hourglass also symbolizes patience.  Ask and wait.  People who ritually work with Santa Muerte first must give before receiving her gifts.  Giving comes in the form of the altar, candles, prayer, and offerings.  Once these are made the person waits for her to answer.  Patience pays off.  Santa Muerte’s hourglass is also connected to time travel.  Past, present, and future.  She can teach divination to those who she feels are deserving of the knowledge.  She can answer questions presented to her concerning a person’s life or the history of a place.  Any oracle can be dedicated to her in order to receive her guidance in how to most beneficially use it.  

The Lamp…

The lamp represents a reflection of her...her presence, her help, her existence, her guidance.  With her lamp she lights the path of those who follow her and those who work with her.  It lights up a person’s direction and/or mental capacity, giving the person a more expanded train of thought.  New ideas, new insights, and deeper levels of clarity. 

The Cloak or Robe…

The cloak. Most commonly Santa Muerte wears a long hooded cloak which extends to her feet, much like the one the Virgin of Guadalupe wears.  It drapes over her boney frame covering almost all of her with the exception of her face, hands, feet, and sometimes the lower half of her legs.  Her cloak is symbolic of the protection she extends to her devotees.  She opens her cloak wide and covers the person with it to keep them safe from whatever it is they need protection from.  A person can have just one single white statue of Santa Muerte and change the color of her cloak according to the work being done.  The basic colors for cloaks are red, white, and black but other colors can be made as well.  There are several places that sell cloaks or robes already made for Santa Muerte but these are usually very expensive.  If you are handy with a sewing machine they can be made very inexpensively at home.  Some women make her a wedding gown which is draped over the statue when ritually working with her for marriage and commitment purposes.  Other colors that may serve well are blue, purple, gold, and brown.  Easily dress her in different robes.  This keeps from having to purchase different color statues for related spellwork.  


For more information on Santa Muerte check out my online course at http://curiouscurandera.com/acatalog/SantaMuerteCourse.html