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| "You are a tower of strength against the foe" (Psalm 61:4) |
The main characteristic here is that of a sturdy tower surrounded by fortifications, hung with many shields and build on rocky foundations.
The medallion superimposed on the tower shows the half-image of Mary in the posture of the young and meek Orante. The medallion is decorated with the tools and symbols of war: sword, banner, helmet, shield, trumpet. . .even what looks like the head of Holofernes.
The symbol of the Tower of David is taken from the Song of Songs 4:4. It was applied to Mary, and symbolizes Mary's womb giving life and protection to Jesus (Richard of St. Laurent). Mary also gives protection to all those who seek refuge against temptation and danger (Abertus Magnus). The tower is further a symbol of Mary's undefiled virginity (Salzer 12:21), later also of her Immaculate Conception. The fortifications of the tower are a symbol of Mary's virtues, the many shields (one thousand shields) are virtues or signs of heavenly protection against the devil.
Using Psalm 61, this illustration paraphrases the following verse and attributes it to Mary, "You are a tower of strength against the foe" (Psalm 61:4).
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