As Lincoln Cathedral is dedicated in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, all Marian festivals are kept with solemnity, but the one probably regarded as the patronal festival more than any other is Lady Day, 25th March.
The other Marian festivals are Purification (Candlemas) on 2nd February; Visitation 31st May; Assumption on 15th August; Nativity on 8th September and Conception on 8th December.
Although the iconography of the patronal banner, which is depicted above, is completely original and unique, it contains many traditional symbols. The crescent moon represents Mary, Queen of Heaven, reflecting the glory of her Son, as the moon reflects the light of the sun. The rose on her apron indicates her title of "Mystic Rose". The staff is a sign of God's approval, recalling the staff of Aaron which produced blossoms and ripe almonds. There are drops of blood on the staff below its cruciform head, suggesting the fruit of Christ's Passion in New life. The iris, or sword-lily, traditionally represents the sorrows of Mary: the sword which pierced her own heart. There are further suggestions of her share in the Passion in the holly, a traditional symbol, which encircles the staff, and in what could be stigmata on the back of her hand.
Further symbolisms may occur to the observer: the red scarf, for example, might represent the revolution proclaimed in Mary's song, "Magnificat". Because she is Our Lady of Lincoln, the floodlit Cathedral sits behind her head like a crown, and the Swan of St. Hugh welcomes her. Though her care-worn face is in repose, she steps out purposefully over the City, where the Castle, Edward King House and the wall of the Prison may be recognised.
This work is the fruit of one person's vision and skill. It contains fragments gathered over a lifetime's devotion to embroidery. Among the most recent are the shells in Our lady's brooch, picked from the shore of Lake Galilee.
On the reverse side of the banner which is in St John's Chapel is the inscription: "BEHOLD THY MOTHER". (John 19,v.27).