LA BANDERA MORADA DEL SEÑOR DE LOS MILAGROS: DISCURSO E IDENTIDAD

In Peru, there are numerous cultural celebrations dedicated to Catholic saints, but few attract as many people as the devotion to the Lord of Miracles. Every October, thousands of faithful pay homage to this image, and in recent years, the purple flag has emerged and become popular as a distinctive symbol. This banner, inspired by the national flag but with purple stripes and the image of Christ of Nazareth, has transcended its ornamental function to become an emblem of collective identity. The purpose of this article is to analyze the purple flag and the discourses surrounding it, considering its symbolic, cultural, religious, and economic dimensions. It studies its origin, dissemination, and institutionalization, as well as its use in homes, public spaces, and Peruvian communities abroad. The research concludes that the purple flag, created by popular demand, represents Nazarene identity and reinforces a sense of belonging through discourses of faith, devotion, and tradition.