The Sicilian Matrangela, mother of angels and a household symbol
2 minutes
Among the most fascinating expressions of Sicilian craftsmanship is the Matrangela, a winged female figure that combines myth, spirituality and collective memory. Its name, which means "mother of angels", reveals the protective and auspicious nature of this glazed terracotta statuette, linked to the themes of fertility, abundance and domestic life. Formerly known as "pupa cu l'ali", it originated in the ceramic tradition of Santo Stefano di Camastra, the historic centre of Sicilian ceramics, where it is still handmade today according to techniques handed down over the centuries.
With its stylised body, spread wings and clasped hands, the Matrangela expresses a balance of forms that gives it elegance and symbolic strength. Traditionally used as a candle holder, it spread light in homes and represented protection and family warmth; over time it became a gift of good wishes for young brides, a sign of prosperity and continuity. Today it continues to be an iconic symbol of Sicily, reinterpreted by artisans in traditional and contemporary versions, a symbol of Made in Italy that is born from the encounter between craftsmanship, myth and Mediterranean culture
The Matrangela, talisman of light and Sicilian collective memory
The Matrangela has its roots in ancient cults linked to the Great Mother, a deity of fertility and domestic protection, whose symbolism has survived over time, becoming an auspicious figure in Sicilian folk tradition. Made of terracotta and glazed with bright colours, it features a stylised, frontal figure with open wings and clasped hands—elements that together evoke a sense of the sacred, hospitality, and protection. In the domestic culture of the island, it was placed in homes as a candle holder, spreading light and symbolic protection in the family space; for this reason, over time it has become a ritual gift for brides, a wish for prosperity, fertility and harmony. Even today, strolling through the artisan workshops of Santo Stefano di Camastra, you can admire it in its many interpretations, each different and unique, a sign of a living craft tradition that preserves memory and spirituality. Buying a Matrangela means taking with you a fragment of authentic Sicily, where ceramics become an expression of identity and Made in Italy is expressed through symbols, traditions and knowledge handed down over time.
Eastern Sicily: gods, love stories and giants
Among the most iconic tales, the legend of Colapesce symbolises the deep love Sicilians have for their land. In Messina, it is said that the young fisherman with extraordinary talents was put to the test by Frederick II, ultimately sacrificing himself for the salvation of the island. To this day, it is said that Colapesce supports one of the three pillars on which Sicily rests, preventing it from sinking into the sea. Also in the Strait of Messina, legends take shape of Scylla and Charybdis, sea monsters that tear apart and suck in sailors, and that of the famous Fata Morgana, an optical mirage that fascinated even the Normans and inspired legendary tales.
