In every respect, the grandmother is surrounded in mystery, literally clothed with numinous qualities, so some commentators have associated her with the ancient Greek goddess Demeter, the daughter of Cronos and Rhea, sister of Zeus.3 In my view, the striking symbolism of the blue sky, the moon, and the stars suggests more strongly Christian meaning—namely, the person of the Virgin Mary. Traditionally, it is with just such symbolism that Mary is represented in Christian art and poetry as the Queen of Heaven.
