According to tradition, Mary Magdalene was a woman who had sinned. She started following the teachings of Jesus and repented her deeds, finding forgiveness. She was also one of those who accompanied Christ on his final journey to Calvary. Together with the Virgin Mary and John the Apostle, Mary Magdalene stood at the foot of Christ’s cross and was present at his burial. She was the first to find out about Christ’s resurrection from the dead.

Mary Magdalene has been depicted in art with her hair unbound, or with a lovely hairdo, and engaged in various activities, for instance kneeling at the foot of Christ’s cross.

Mary Magdalene’s day, ‘madlipäev’, is on 22 July in the folk calendar.