The Virgin of Guadalupe is a significant religious figure in Mexico, representing the apparition of Mary, the mother of Jesus. She is often depicted as a young woman with a dark complexion, surrounded by rays of light, and standing on a crescent moon. Her image is housed in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, a major pilgrimage site for millions of Catholics. The story of the Virgin of Guadalupe began in 1531 when she reportedly appeared to Juan Diego, an indigenous man. She asked him to build a church in her honor, which led to the establishment of the basilica. The Virgin is celebrated for her role in uniting indigenous and Spanish cultures in Mexico.