Depending on the viewing angle and the interplay of light and curve, Mary of Bondi can be seen to represent the Holy Mother at seven times in her life. These famous scenes have been painted many times by great artists across the centuries: 

• The Annunciation: when Mary learns from the Archangel Gabriel she is to become the Mother of God. 
• The Visitation: Mary, heavy with the unborn Christ, journeys to visit Elizabeth, soon to give birth to John the Baptist.
• The Madonna and Child: when we see Mary cradling the already-wise child Jesus on her arm.
• The Flight: Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus flee Herod's order to slaughter the newborns.
• The Staber Mater: Mary endures her son's torment on the cross.
• The Pieta: Mary cradles Christ's body after he is brought down from the cross.
• The Assumption: Mary is raised up to reign in heaven.

Some interpretations of the Bondi figurine are instantly clear. Others require the figurine to be viewed from a particular angle or pictured as part of a bigger scene. 

What will you see in Mary of Bondi?

Although seven interpretations have appeared so far, others may emerge as people contemplate their personal Mary of Bondi figurines. Because each is unique, and the metals used will gain a patina with age, new subtleties may emerge that evoke other events in the Holy Mother’s life.

If, through contemplation of a Mary of Bondi figurine, you see a new scene, submit your vision to meanings@maryofbondi.com.au

Staber Mater: the Virgin Mary in sorrow before Christ on the cross.  

From this angle, Mary of Bondi reveals a humble figure, hooded, head bowed, slender, female, a reminder of the classic portrayals of Mary in art, always hooded and with long flowing robes. This view conveys a sense of sadness in her stance. It is easy to see her in sorrow, enduring the sufferings of her son on the cross.

In classic Catholic art, this iconic composition is called Mater Dolorosa, or the sorrowing mother. Note that Mary’s head is tilted to her left in these paintings from the 14^thand 15^thcenturies, just as it is in the Mary of Bondi figurine.

The Visitation: Mary heavy with child.

Turning the figurine slightly reveals a view of the Holy Mother heavy with child, her right hand cradling her unborn son within. 

Madonna and Child: Mary cradles the already wise Jesus.

This view shows Mary holding the child Jesus in the bend of her left arm, up against her chest, a scene shown many times in art: the Madonna and Child.  

The Flight: Mary, Joseph and Jesus flee Herod's order to slay the newborns.

A slight change of angle and you can see Mary riding side saddle on her donkey, with the infant Jesus, cradled in her left arm, high against her chest. Her right arm reaches across to pull her robes around her and hold the reins of the beast.

The Pieta: Mary cradles Christ's body after he is brought down from the cross.

To see the Pieta, start in the area around Mary of Bondi’s left arm. From other angles, the shape of the young Jesus can be seen here here. From this angle, the same shape can be seen as the side of the adult Christ’s face, hair matted across his head and shoulders, slumped against his mother’s chest. Now it is her right arm that reaches down to comfort him, touching his left shoulder. His left arm sweeps around her body in a simple, abstract curve to complete the composition. 

One more detail to note: below Christ’s left arm is a fissure in the metal that is in the right place to be interpreted as the spear wound in his side.

The Annunciation: Mary learns she is to become the Mother of God.

From behind, looking over Mary of Bondi’s shoulder, the Virgin Mary as a young girl is revealed, kneeling as she learns from the Archangel Gabriel that she is to be the mother of God. This is the Annunciation.

The Assumption: Mary is raised bodily up into heaven and life everlasting.

When held up and viewed from below, Mary of Bondi reveals a vision of the Holy Mother at the end of her life, when she is raised bodily up to reign in heaven: the Assumption.

For the faithful, these seven views into the life of the Holy Mother can provide comfort and hope at any time. Depending on the nature of the need or prayer, simply view Mary of Bondi from the angle that expresses the sorrow or joy that you are feeling.