Legend of Santa Margherita of Agira
The legend of Santa Margherita di Agira explains why her simulacrum portrays her with a dragon at her feet.
The simulacrum of Santa Margherita di Agira, made in 1784, portrays the Saint with a cross in one hand, a palm in the other, and a defeated dragon at her feet.
According to legend, in fact, on one of the days when Santa Margherita was held in a cell, the devil appears before her in the form of a dragon who swallows her. But Santa Margherita uses her cross to pierce the belly of the dragon and come out.
For this reason Santa Margherita di Agira is also considered the protector of women in labor who turn to her for a simple birth.
