Detente bala facts for kids
"Detente bala" is a special phrase that Spanish soldiers have used for a very long time, starting way back in the 1700s! It means "stop, bullet" in Spanish. The full saying is usually "Detente bala, el Corazon de Jesús está conmigo!" This means: "Stop, bullet, the Sacred Heart of Jesus is with me!"
Soldiers often wear small patches of cloth with this phrase and a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on their chests. They use these patches as a kind of protection or good luck charm. Sometimes, they wear it under their name or rank badge, usually close to their heart.
A Symbol of Protection
The idea for these patches comes from special badges of the Sacred Heart that were popular in the 1600s. A saint named Margaret Mary Alacoque helped spread the use of these badges. People believed they offered protection, especially against widespread sicknesses.
Spanish soldiers still use these "Detente bala" patches today, even in the 21st century!
The History of "Detente Bala"
The story of "Detente bala" goes back to 1686. Many people believe that Margaret Mary Alacoque started the custom of wearing a small cloth symbol with the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This was a sign of religious devotion.
This symbol quickly became popular as a "safeguard" against diseases that were affecting Europe. At first, it was called a "Safeguard," but over time, it became known as "Detente," meaning "stop."
It was in the 1700s that Spanish soldiers really started using these patches. A tradition says that the "Detente bala" patches were often sewn by hand. Wives, mothers, or sisters of soldiers would make them before their loved ones went to war. They hoped these patches would stop bullets and help the soldiers return home safely.
See also
In Spanish: Detente para niños
