De sangre y leche

By Felipe Pereda

Book Description

In the territories of the Spanish Catholic Monarchy and its colonial empire, two powerful symbols shaped the very fabric of society: blood and milk. This scholarly exploration reveals how these elemental substances became far more than biological realities, evolving into profound metaphors that bridged the physical and cultural worlds.

Throughout the Medieval and Modern periods, blood and milk created a compelling parallel between bodily reproduction and the transmission of cultural identity. These symbols wielded extraordinary influence in determining social hierarchies, establishing boundaries, and defining who belonged within the monarchy's complex structure. The authors examine how these metaphors became tools of both inclusion and exclusion, shaping the lived experiences of countless individuals across the Spanish Empire.

Drawing from religious, social, legal, and anthropological perspectives, this comprehensive study illuminates a crucial symbolic intersection in Spanish history. The contributors investigate how the discourse of race emerged and developed in early modern Spain, tracing the intricate ways that concepts of blood and milk influenced social ordering and cultural reproduction.

For readers interested in understanding how spiritual and cultural symbols shape human societies, this work offers valuable insights into the profound connections between bodily metaphors and social structures. The book demonstrates how seemingly natural concepts become powerful forces in defining identity, belonging, and exclusion across different communities and historical periods.