The hagiography of St. Margaret could be described as one of great tragedies: she lost her mother when she was a child, she was imprisoned, and tortured because of her faith at the age of 15, and she was tormented by the devil in the shape of a dragon who later devoured her. But in all her difficult life circumstances her devotion and belief in Christ shone through. In this particular XVI century Spanish fresco Margaret’s face is serene and triumphant, with a posture of power and confidence as she emerges from the dragon’s stomach. Her right hand holds a bucket and a thistle, representing her life as a shepherdess and her love for the countryside, while her left hand holds the cross and makes the sign of the blessing. In the Western tradition St. Margaret is commonly portrayed with a belt, which has been interpreted to ease the pain of childbirth, and is the patron saint of midwives.