If I bow before a likeness of the Mother of Jesus, it is INDEED to honor her. I do not worship her (nor any inanimate object with her likeness). I see her as the Mother of my Savior, my Redeemer and Victor of the whole world! I will most certainly honor her in any way that I can.
I love Jesus passionately and I KNOW that He is pleased that I honor her because of her obedience and example. To God be the glory forever!
If you or any other Catholic bows before a likeness of Mary, they are breaking the second commandment.
Exodus 20:1-6 And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Bowing is bowing and that is forbidden.