Q. 1. What does "Madonna" stand for?

A. 1. "Madonna" is an Italian word that means "my lady." The usage of this word can be traced to late medieval times. "Madonna" is equivalent to "Notre Dame" in French or "Our Lady" in English. It is a term that helps to emphasize the relationship between Mary and those who honor her.

Traditionally, the term “Madonna” has been used for images of Mary holding the infant Jesus. It was initially used only for Italian art. Now it is used for Marian art in all cultures.