Black Jesus
There is a statue of a black Jesus at the Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. The statue used to be white but was repainted black during the Detroit race riots of 1967.It was no surprise that the statue was repainted black. Blacks were rioting for increased representation and an end to discrimination at the time. And the seminary was located in a black neighborhood.
So the statue quickly became an object of interest. On July 23, 1967, three men redid the face, hands, and feet of the statue in brown or black. The clothing was left white. The seminary made it white again, but someone repainted it black during the night of September 14, 1967.The statue has remained black ever since—even during restorations.
The act was not considered vandalism because the men did not deface the sculpture. Some believe that it was repainted to signal to black rioters not to destroy the statue.
Homeless Jesus
Homeless Jesus refers to several bronze statues depicting a homeless man sleeping on a bench. They were created by artist Timothy Schmalz to highlight the problem of homelessness. The man’s face is covered, but we know he is Jesus because of the nail holes in his feet.
The first Homeless Jesus was installed outside Regis College at the Jesuit School of Theology at the University of Toronto. About 40 more statues have been commissioned and placed in several locations around the world, including the Vatican.The statues look so real that some uninformed people called 911 thinking that it was a real homeless man sleeping out in the cold.
These depictions are so controversial that the city council of Westminster, London, stopped Schmalz from installing one in the city.
Christ Of The Abyss
Il Cristo Degli Abissi (“Christ of the Abyss”) refers to three underwater bronze statues of Jesus. All of them were made by Italian artist Guido Galletti. The first was completed in 1954 and installed at San Fruttuoso Bay, Italy.
The second statue was completed in 1961 and placed at St. George’s Harbor, Grenada, in memory of the survivors of the sinking of the Italian ship Bianca C. The vessel had been anchored at the harbor when it sank after a fire.Galletti created the third statue for Egidio Cressi, an Italian company that makes diving equipment. Egidio Cressi gifted the sculpture to the Underwater Society of America.
All three statues are identical because they were made from the same cast. The original clay positive was missing until 1993 when it was found with its arms missing. The arms were later discovered in a box. Even so, new hands were sculpted for the statue before it was sent to the Italian National Museum of Underwater Activities.
Veiled Christ
Veiled Christ depicts a dying Jesus lying on a bed and covered with a transparent veil. It is so transparent that Jesus is clearly visible to a person looking at the statue. The sculpture was created by Guiseppe Sanmartino for Prince Raimondo di Sangro. Sanmartino completed it in 1753. It is currently displayed inside Sansevero Chapel in Naples, Italy. Veiled Christ was controversial at the time it was commissioned and remains so today due to the transparent veil. Most people could not understand how Sanmartino did it.
They suspected that the veil was actually created by Prince Raimondo using a secret process he derived from his alchemy experiments. Raimondo was renowned for his interest in alchemy. He was a very controversial person with equally contentious writings. After Raimondo’s death, the Catholic Church forced his relatives to destroy his scientific writings. However, no alchemy or magic was involved in creating the transparent veil. It is just art. The veil and the body of Jesus are part of a single marble sculpture.
Pieta
Pieta depicts the Virgin Mary carrying a dying Jesus. It is displayed inside St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Pieta was completed by Michelangelo in 1498 and was intended for a French cardinal who wanted to put it on his tomb. Michelangelo created the sculpture such that Mary was bigger and younger than Jesus.
Michelangelo said that he created Mary with a childish face because she was a virgin. According to him, virgins did not age because they were “free from desire.” As for size, it was normal for Renaissance statues to make a person unusually large to “balance the art.” In this instance, it would have been odd for a smaller Mary to carry a bigger Jesus, so Mary had to be bigger. Pieta holds the distinction of being the only sculpture ever signed by Michelangelo.
He etched his name into the statue after he heard some men say that it was made by another artist.Michelangelo was not yet famous and was afraid of someone stealing his work. He later regretted etching his name into it, though.
The Resurrection
Inside Paul VI Audience Hall in Rome lies a statue of Jesus floating out of a nuclear crater. The bronze-and-copper statue was created by Pericle Fazzini and unveiled in 1971. Fazzini used the statue to depict the reality of our nuclear-armed world and what would happen if a nuclear war ever broke out.
The crater was created over the Garden of Gethsemane, the last place Jesus prayed before he was crucified. However, some think that the statue has other meanings. They do not even believe that the representation is of Jesus. They say that it is Baphomet, a goat-headed deity that frequently pops up in occult symbols.
Kings Of Kings
The Kings of Kings was a statue of Jesus that used to be outside Solid Rock Church in Monroe, Ohio. The sculpture was unusual because it showed Jesus from the torso up as if the remaining part of his body was underground.
The top of a cross was also visible. Kings of Kings was called “Touchdown Jesus” because it depicted Jesus lifting his arms toward the sky in the exact way that football officials raise their arms when they want to declare a touchdown. The statue was ruined after it was struck by lightning in June 2010. The lightning started a fire that totally destroyed the plastic foam and fiberglass statue, leaving only its steel frame.
The Deposition
The Deposition depicts Mary Magdalene, the Virgin Mary, and Nicodemus carrying the body of Jesus for embalming. As the original story in the Bible had Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea carrying Jesus, some say that Nicodemus was actually Joseph. Although the sculpture was created by Michelangelo, it was completed by his friend Tiberio Calcagni.Michelangelo started working on the statue in 1550. He stopped in 1555 when he angrily used a hammer to destroy it.
No one knows why Michelangelo destroyed the sculpture. He had been using veined marble, which was exceptionally difficult to work with, so he must have become frustrated. It may have also been because his servant, Urbino, kept urging him to complete it.
Others suspect it was because Michelangelo did not want people to think that he followed the more Protestant teachings of Nicodemus when the majority of Italians were Catholic. Michelangelo sold the incomplete statue, and the new owner commissioned Calcagni to complete it. He reattached broken parts and made several other adjustments before completing the statue. However, he never added a new left leg for Jesus.
The Stolen Head Of Jesus
That is not the real name. The possibly nameless statue depicts the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. It was installed outside Sainte Anne des Pins Catholic Church in Sudbury, Canada. The head of baby Jesus was detachable, and people often removed it. Most of the time, they left it on the floor. That changed in 2015 when someone took the head away. Artist Heather Wise agreed to create a new head for Jesus. However, she first created a temporary one so that the statue would not look awkward.
The temporary head was just so hilarious that it quickly became the butt of jokes. If anything, it alerted more people that the sculpture of Jesus was missing a head. It also made the statue look awkward.Besides being a different color, the temporary head had spiky hair that looked more like Maggie Simpson than Jesus. However, it created awareness about the missing head, which was promptly returned. The woman who brought it back said that she had seen it in her office but had not known it was stolen.
Risen Christ
Back to Michelangelo and his habit of sculpting unusual statues of Jesus. Risen Christ depicts a naked Jesus holding a large cross. However, Michelangelo actually made two statues.He started working on the first one in 1514. But he stopped midway after finding that the marble contained black impurities that would have cut across the cheek. He completed a second one in 1521. Then Michelangelo gave both statues to Metello Vari, who had commissioned the work. The uncompleted sculpture was forgotten soon after Vari died in 1554.
Most people did not know that it was a work of Michelangelo. It was usually dismissed as an incomplete imitation of Michelangelo’s Risen Christ.The work was finished by another artist in 1644 and taken to San Vincenzo Martire church in Bassano Romano, Italy. The one completed by Michelangelo was kept at Santa Maria Sopra Minerva church where Jesus’s penis was covered with a bronze cloth. The statue that was finished by another artist probably survives because it was forgotten. It was untouched when Napoleon invaded Bassano Romano in the 18th century and when the Nazis arrived in the area during World War II. When the church was donated in 1941, the new owners left the sculpture alone even though they took other artifacts. The statue was only rediscovered in 1997.
Native to the Amazon, Guarana is a Brazilian climbing plant valued for its fruit and its seed. A member of the maple family, Guarana belongs to the Sapindaceae and is scientifically termed as Paullinia cupana.
Although the plant is commonly found in Brazil, the seeds are largely produced in parts of Paraguay as well. The guarana fruit resembles the human eye in its shape, and has an attractive red shell encasing the white aril covered black seed. The properties of the Amazonian fruit is not limited to brewing but extends to the medicinal application as well.
In the contemporary health-conscious society, Guarana's medicinal properties are exceptionally valued. Guarana was widely used as an 'energy drink' by the Amazonian tribes during the hunting season due to the exuberance of caffeine, and the scant amount of theophylline and theobromine present in it. Fairly small in size, you should not mistake the guarana berries for any ordinary berry. The exotic berries encompass a plethora of benefits that can do good to our bodies. The red exotic berry is a natural source of immense energy, making it a favoured ingredient in various beverages, especially energy drinks.
Health Benefits Of Guarana A natural source of energy, the benefits of guarana on the human body are plenty. Check them out below.
1. Helps in weight loss & maintenance
The critical role played by caffeine in the journey of weight loss is globally known. The exotic fruit from Brazil has the dual property of not only aiding the process of weight loss but also helps in maintaining weight, which you do not usually see in fruits of similar nature.The high caffeine content of the guarana seeds acts as the catalyst for weight loss. Studies reveal the impact of the seeds on the nervous system causing the generation of lipolysis, where the fats released during exercise are converted to energy; thereby helping you in maintaining the weight. Likewise, the fruit is said to possess appetite-suppressing properties, thus limiting you from constant binging.
2. Eliminates menstrual problems
A godsend for women suffering from constant menstrual pain and irregular cycle, the guarana seeds work wonders. Incorporation of guarana seeds into your daily diet can help you get rid of the tiredness and the premenstrual symptoms. Although there has been no scientific proof for this, the age-old practices with positive results accord to its effectiveness.
3. Promotes better mental health
The guarana seeds possess the ability to improve your blood flow and circulation, thereby enhancing and promoting your mental health. An efficient system of blood circulation helps in eliminating fatigue, migraine and headaches.
4. Improves quality & appearance of skin
The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the guarana seeds make it the most favourite ingredient of the cosmetic industry. It is commonly found in antiageing lotions, creams, soaps and hair products. The caffeine content in guarana also contributes to the appearance of your skin by abating skin troubles such as wrinkles and saggy skin, which has been proven by scientific studies.
5. Improves digestion
The natural detoxifying nature of guarana helps in improving your digestive system. The presence of tannins (plant-based antioxidants) that have the ability to bind and contract the tissues aids in relieving chronic diarrhoea. In a way, guarana has the dual property of a laxative and astringent. The caffeine and the tannins work separately to improve your digestion. That is, the caffeine works in relieving constipation through the stimulation of your colon and intestines.
6. Reduces stress & anxiety
Guarana seeds have been widely known for its role in relieving stress and anxiety. Although there is no scientific evidence to back this up, the seeds are known for its calming properties. The caffeine content in guarana seemingly improves your mood and feelings of well-being. Anyhow, the dosage of intake has to be controlled, or else can negatively impact your level of anxiety.
7. Promotes heart health
The antioxidants present in the guarana seeds play a major role in your heart's health, by improving the blood flow and removing the blood clots. Several studies have shown the impact it has on diminishing the oxidation levels of 'bad' LDL cholesterol that causes the development of plaque in your arteries. Basically, the consumption of the seeds shields one against the heart diseases; keeping them at bay.
8. Acts as an energy booster
The ample amount of caffeine in the red wonder acts as a natural source of energy. The role of caffeine as an energy booster is obviously acknowledged. Considered to be a natural stimulant, guarana prevents fatigue and supplies energy to your brain by blocking the impact of adenosine which helps your brain relax. It is also known as 'nature's rocket fuel', as the flavonoids and alkaloids present in guarana stimulate your central nervous system and myocardium; thereby enhancing your alertness and reducing fatigue.
9. Possesses antibacterial properties
The guarana seeds are encompassed of components that possess antibacterial properties. Studies have revealed the guarana seeds' capability to diminish the growth of harmful bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia coli etc. It is believed that the combined role of catechins or tannins (caffeine and plant-based compounds) are responsible for the antibacterial nature of guarana seeds.
10. Acts as a painkiller
The caffeine in the guarana seeds acts as an analgesic. That is, by stimulating the circulation of blood, the caffeine present in seeds aids in reducing any sort of physical pain. It is mostly used to gain relief from constant migraines, headaches and menstrual pain.
11. Increases libido
The presence of caffeine in the guarana seeds acts as a natural aphrodisiac. The inclusion of guarana in your diet can enhance and stimulate your libido, thereby help you to lead a euphoric, passionate life.
Guarana - How To Use It?
You may think that as guarana is a berry, it can be consumed as it is. Well, that's where you are mistaken! The exotic texture and look of the berry can confuse you into consuming it right off the bat. Customarily, the seeds of the guarana berry are used by people to acquire the benefits of it. Guarana seeds are available in the form of powder, capsules, liquids and even chewing gum. The powder can be infused in your daily beverages such as tea, coffee or even smoothies. You must be careful to limit the use of the powder to 3 to 6 g per day, which should be equally divided among three or four doses. The guarana seed powder can be incorporated in your daily diet in various ways, such as;
• You can mix 1 tsp guarana powder into any juice you prefer.
• 1 tsp of powder can be mixed with yoghurt or fruit smoothies.
• You can make guarana tea or coffee by adding boiling water, coffee powder/tea bag, sugar and milk (optional), and 1 tsp of guarana powder.
Precautions While Using Guarana
Like any other herb or fruit, guarana also comes with certain side effects. Although it is safe when consumed in the correct proportion, the following cautions have to be taken into notice.
1. May affect pregnant women and lactating mothers It is applicable to consume guarana seeds during pregnancy, however, taking it in high doses (more than 200 mg) may result in miscarriage and healthy development of the fetus. It is advised that lactating mothers stay away from consumption as it can negatively impact the health of your newborn.
2. Can cause extreme anxiety Though it has been advised that guarana seeds can reduce the level of anxiety, the increased consumption can trigger anxiety due to the overdosing of caffeine.
3. Could be harmful to diabetes patients Studies have revealed that the consumption of guarana can hinder the way individuals with diabetes are processing sugar (glucose), complicating their blood sugar control.
4. Can cause seizures Individuals prone to episodes of seizures are advised against the consumption of guarana, due to the presence of caffeine. The caffeine has the possibilities of hindering the proper functioning of the medications used to limit and control seizures.
- The defunct Del Oro Old County Hospital building in Oroville is housing hundreds of stranded animals
- Vets and nurses from the North Valley Animal Disaster Group are caring for them there
- They are just some of the thousands of animals which have been burned alive in the California wildfires
- Other larger animals have been taken to the Butte County Showgrounds in Gridley
- Sandra Bullock has led stars supporting the work to save animals, donating $100k while animal lover and local Kaley Cuoco has called on fans to support the work of shelters
Vets have filled the defunct Del Oro County Hospital building in Oroville to care for stranded animals that were left for dead in the Camp Fire last week and over the weekend
A veterinary assistant tend to animals in their cages in the animal hospital in Oroville on Tuesday
In addition to the dogs, cats and geese were chickens and exotic birds. Some are wild and some are pets which were left behind or whose owners perished
The shelter has been set up inside the Del Oro County Hospital building in Oroville which has not been used for years
A cat with charred paws is among the hundreds of animals being looked after inside the hospital by volunteer nurses and vets
The cat had its singed paws treated before they were wrapped up. Hundreds of animals died in the fires
The staff had to gently clean the cat's charred paws of debris and treat the burns before wrapping them up
A dog with a burned paw and nose was also treated at the clinic on Tuesday. The vets said the animals burned themselves trying to flee from the flames
Sara Anderson cradles a small dog whose four paws were singed in the fire. She is one of the selfless volunteers from the North Valley Animal Disaster Group
A dog with a burned nose rests on blankets inside the clinic. In addition to the 51 people who have died in the fires, California's pets and wildlife have been under immense threat
Sara Anderson feeds a cockatoo inside the animal hospital. In addition to the hundreds of cats and dogs that have been rescued, there are 41 birds inside the shelter
A dog looks forlorn in its cage in the animal hospital in Oroville. It is one of thousands around California that have been displaced
A parrot nibbles on feed inside its cage in the overrun shelter on Tuesday while assistant Sara Anderson tends to others
A litter of puppies fight for food inside their cage at the hospital. They did not appear to be seriously injures but had been left
A parrot in its cage squawks for attention at the Oroville animal shelter on Tuesday
The staff sprang into action when the fires took hold last week . They have since received help from the California Veterinary Medical Corps
Karen Falconer, a volunteer in the disused hospital, dotes on a small dog that is one of the hundreds in the shelter
Cody Hilgenberg donates animal food at the Chico Municipal Airport
A woman cradles a dog at the airport. People have been both dropping animals off there and going to look for their pets
People walk dogs on leashes at the Chico Municipal Airport in California on Tuesday
Volunteers stack up donated dog food, blankets and pillows at the Chico Municipal Airport on Tuesday
Paradise resident Jeff Hill was scouting his neighborhood this weekend after returning home. He discovered this helpless horse trapped inside a backyard pool
Hill said: 'As I was checking to see if someone’s house was standing, we stumbled upon this girl who had given up and had the look of defeat in her eyes'
Hill is pictured assisting the horse to the shallow end of the pool and out of the water
Thanks to Hill's efforts, the horse survived. Hill said: 'She got out, shook off, loved on us for a few minutes as a thank you and walked off assuring us that she was OK'
A traumatized kitten is pictured after receiving treatment through the Little Angels Project, which is helping animals hurt in the blazes
The kitten's burnt paws are seen in this close-up shot. An unknown number of pets and wild animals have died in the flames
Another heartbreaking photograph taken from inside the animal hospital shows the severity of the kitten's injuries
This black and white cat survived the deadly wildfires. Others were laid to rest
This German Shepard was found hanging from a fence with badly burnt paws this week in the California wildfires
The dog is seen laying in his recovery bed with casts covering all four legs
A terrier is also seen as it is readied for an operation to fix its jaw which was broken when the pooch was hit by a car fleeing the fire
A cat is treated for its injuries caused by the Woolsey Fire in Woodland Hills, southern California
Dakota Semler stands with 'Stanley' the giraffe at the Malibu Wine Safari in Malibu on November 13
Los Angeles County firefighter Aurelio Sanchez feeds a camel stranded by wildfires in Malibu on November 13
Deer walk through an area destroyed by the Camp Fire in Paradise, California on November 13
An injured swan is pictured inside its cage after being rescued this week from the wildfire aftermath
Rest in peace: The badly burned cat was pictured cowering in agony before animal rescuers could take it to a veterinary center, after it was discovered near a residential block in Paradise, California on Sunday
A rabbit suffering from burns struggles to find safety, as the Woolsey Fire continues to burn near Malibu in California
A badly burned bunny was rescued from the fires and treated for its wounds
A dog is treated for severe burns on its paws from the Woolsey Fire. Volunteer veterinarians with Veterinary Angels and The Little Angels Project, created a mash tent at Pierce College to treat animals injured or displaced by the fires
Shiloh, a two-year-old golden retriever, has suffered burns to her face and needs veterinarian treatment, but her owner, Cathy Fallon is refusing to leave her property because authorities will then not allow her to return due to the evacuation order
A cat is treated by workers at the Little Animals Project in LA after they were found with burns in the Woolsey fire
Equine veterinarian Jesse Jellison carries an injured goose to a waiting transport during the Camp Fire in Paradise
Dr. Maritxu Ravenscroft with Veterinary Angels and The Little Angels Project, looks over treatment notes for animals displaced by the fire
These two cats were injured in the wildfires and volunteers posted these pictures of them to try and reunite them with their owners
Members of the UC Davis Veterinary Emergency Response Team, Ashley Nola, left, and Catherine McFarren, right, tend to burns on a dog that was brought in to the Butte County Fair Grounds where large animals are being sheltered during the Camp Fire
Many larger animals have been taken to the Butte County Fair as nearby communities are ordered to evacuate
Horses are evacuated by members of the Humane Society of Ventura County from an area affected by a wildfire in Malibu, California
A horse is seen as members of the Humane Society of Ventura County evacuate animals from an area affected by a wildfire in Malibu
A donkey rests on a roadside as the Camp Fire burns in Big Bend, California
Stanley the giraffe, one of several exotic animals at Saddlerock Ranch, is shrouded in smoke in the aftermath of the Woosley Fire. The animals on the ranch survived, but several buildings on the property we destroyed or damaged by the fire
