Tota Pulchra Es
- aveenpetal44
- Nov 19
- 2 min read
This drawing is a sketch for the future painting of this image. It is a depiction of the Virgin Mary inspired by the hymn “Tota Pulchra”- a Marian hymn of a 4th century text, which was itself inspired by the Song of Songs 4:7. The ancient hymn and its corresponding Scripture verse read as follows, with the translations:
Tota pulchra es, Maria.
Et macula originalis non est in Te.
Tu gloria Ierusalem.
Tu laetitia Israel.
Tu honorificentia populi nostri.
Tu advocata peccatorum.
O Maria, O Maria.
Virgo prudentissima.
Mater clementissima.
Ora pro nobis.
Intercede pro nobis.
Ad Dominum Iesum Christum.
You are all beautiful, Mary,
and the original stain (of sin) is not in you.
You are the glory of Jerusalem,
you are the joy of Israel,
you give honor to our people.
You are the advocate of sinners.
O Mary, O Mary,
Virgin most prudent,
Mother most merciful.
Pray for us,
Plead for us,
To the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Tota pulchra est amica mea et macula non est in te” //
“Thou art all fair, O my love, and there is not a stain in thee”
(Song of Songs 4:7)
This Old Testament verse from the Song of Songs has unanimously been understood as referring to Mary; and so, throughout history, images of Our Lady have been illustrated under the title, “Tota Pulchra.” Customarily, this title also coincides with her title “The Immaculate Conception.” This drawing, however, not only visibly illustrates this Marian hymn, but simultaneously depicts the Marian Dogmas with it. Like the traditional hymn, this drawing serves as a visual- rather than an audible- means of honoring Our Lady by highlighting her purity and beauty, her role in salvation history, and her intimacy with the Three Persons of the Trinity.
The full, detailed explanation coming soon... :)
By Aveen Toma · 2025
