Black Maria refers to the Black Madonna, or Black Virgin, which is a depiction of the Virgin Mary which has brown or black skin. There are 3 distinct categories of depictions referred to as "Black Madonnas":
Depictions of Virgin Mary reflecting the appearance of the local Christian community; these include both Madonnas from areas where Christianity was present since antiquity (Ethiopia, Egypt etc.) and those from areas where it was introduced under colonial influence within the past 500 years.
Depictions of Mary which were not originally black but turned black due to damage (for example detoriation of certain pigments or accumulation of soot on the surface of a statue).
Miscellanous examples which do not fit into either of these categories, like many Madonnas from Eastern Orthodox churches or the Madonna of Częstochowa.
It's likely that many of the Madonnas in the third category were simply a result of medieval contacts with cultures responsible with the first category of depictions, and the belief that due to living closer to areas where biblical figures were said to live they captured them the most accurately in art. Some researches note that pilgrims to certain sanctuaries in Europe likely perceived dark-skinned Madonnas as more "authentic."[1] A similar claim is known from Poland, where the country's most notable Christian icon, the Black Madonna of Częstochowa, is traditionally regarded as the work of one of the apostles passed down for centuries rather than a mundane medieval painting.[2]
Ean Begg, an esotericist relying mostly on Jungian analysis and pseudohistorical sources such as Robert Graves' "White Goddess," as well as other Jungian authors, claimed that Black Madonnas may have grown out of pre-Christian earth goddess traditions and that their dark skin may be associated with ancient images of these goddesses and the color of the fertile earth. Begg also attempted to link them to the underworld and to sexual rites. However, the goddesses proponents of this theory often bring up in relation to Black Madonnas weren't generally depicted in such a manner. While Isis was regarded as a mother goddess by Egyptians as well as by other cultures which incorporated her into their religious beliefs (like the Romans), she was more a "queen mother" than "mother earth." It is, however, possible that certain types of Isis' cult images, namely these showing her with baby Horus, influenced Christian art. While Artemis and Cybele were both associated with nature, they weren't generally depicted with particularly dark skin in art, and the understanding of their "great goddess" role in Anatolian and Hellenic religion varied.
Black Maria was implemented in October 2015 as part of the The Die is Cast questline. She can be fused in a double-fusion of Anat and Jeanne D'Arc.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey[]
"A holy mother of the dark, of Christian descent. The statues in regular churches are usually of the Virgin Mary, but there exist some suspicious black statues. They say that these statues have their origins in the Middle East, such as Egypt's Isis and the Phrygian Cybele."
—Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey compendium
Shin Megami Tensei IV[]
"A holy mother of the dark, of Christian descent. The statues in regular churches are usually of the Virgin Mary, but there exist some suspicious black statues. They say that these statues have their origins in the Middle East, such as Egypt's Isis and the Phrygian Cybele."
—Shin Megami Tensei IV compendium
Black Maria was formerly the Lady Danu who ruled over the fairies. Due to religious persecution and the threat of the Fairy race being destroyed completely, the Lady Danu had no choice but to merge with an interpretation of the Virgin Mary to become Black Maria as a way to save her beloved children.
When Nozomi summons her, at the request of the fairies, Black Maria reveals that she cannot return to being the Lady Danu. However, as a compromise, she names Nozomi as her successor and passes down the powers Nozomi will need to fulfill her role as the next Lady Danu. With this completed, Black Maria bids Nozomi and Flynn farewell as she returns to her duties as Black Maria.
"A holy mother of the dark, of Christian descent. The statues in regular churches are usually of the Virgin Mary, but there exist some suspicious black statues. They say that these statues originate in the Middle East, much like Egypt's Isis and the Phrygian Cybele."
"A holy mother of the dark, of Christian descent. The statues in regular churches are usually of the Virgin Mary, but there exist some suspicious black statues. It is said that these status originated in the Middle East, much like Egypt's Isis and the Phrygian Cybele."
—Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker compendium
Black Maria is one of the downloadable demons in the game, and can only be fused using Remiel and Isis.
This skill will gain 1 Boost level at the start of own turn.
At end of own turn: Inflicts 10% fractional damage (200 max) on all enemies based on their current HP.
Level 1: No extra effect. Level 2: Increases damage to 50% fractional damage (2000 max) on all enemies based on their current HP. Level 3: Increases damage to 50% fractional damage (2000 max) on all enemies based on their max HP and Nullifies all death prevention skills. Uses: 1
Innate
Black Lullaby
6 MP
50% chance to inflict Mute on all enemies. Heals all party members (Power: 80).
Innate
Deathtouch
6 MP
Inflicts Almighty (Magic) damage with 140 power on a Single Enemy, while healing caster 40% of damage dealt.
Aragami (Awaken)
Sea of Chaos
9 MP
Inflicts Almighty (Magic) damage with 100 power on All Enemies and reduces enemy's DEF 20% for 3 turns
Aragami (Gacha)
Recarmdra
8 MP
Revive All Party Members with full HP, caster dies. (1 use)
Protector (Awaken)
Epitome of Illusion
Auto
+15% to Phys evasion rate. -45% chance of receiving status ailments.
Protector (Gacha)
Insanity
Auto
+20% chance to inflict status ailments.
Psychic (Awaken)
Epitome of Madness
Auto
+15% chance to inflict status ailments, +15% to EV.
Psychic (Gacha)
Null Force
Auto
Adds Force Null.
Elementalist (Awaken)
Prayer
5 MP
Cures all status ailments of All Party Members.
Elementalist (Gacha)
Gallery[]
Black Maria's artwork as it appears in Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2
Black Maria as she appears in Card Summoner
Trivia[]
Black Maria's design is based on Jean Delville's The Idol of Perversity, a painting unrelated to the Black Madonna phenomenon.
.png "Black Maria (Dx2 Art).png (1.2 MB)")
