The 12 Best Myths Of Mexico (with Their Explanations)
In each country, there are legends that become representative stories of the place. Something that fascinates locals and strangers are the myths of Mexico and knowing each one of them is interesting and revealing of the culture of this country.
The myths of Mexico are mostly of pre-Hispanic or colonial origin ; However, there are some from modern times that, due to their popularity, have already become traditional myths of the country.
The myths of Mexico are rich in traditions and surprising stories, sometimes they vary from region to region but the essence is the same.
1. The Llorona
In places where there are lagoons or rivers, at night you can hear a woman shout Oh my children! with a sad and heartbreaking voice. This woman, angered by the lack of love from the father of her children, drowned them in the river and then committed suicide because she could not bear the guilt of having committed the crime. Since then she can be heard shouting that lament at night.
This story has variations depending on the region since elements of its narrative are modified to adjust to folklore and the values associated with each belief system, but it is undoubtedly one of the most widespread and recognized myths of Mexico.
2. The moon rabbit
This Mexican myth is told to children to explain the spots seen on the moon.
The god Quetzalcóatl went down one day to take a long walk through the earth, when night fell he was tired and hungry without knowing what to eat when a rabbit passed in front of him and offered him some of its food, which the god refused. Well, it wasn’t something I used to eat.
The rabbit was offered as a sacrifice to be eaten and Quetzalcoatl, in gratitude, promised him that from then on he would be remembered She took it and raised it to the moon to stamp his figure there, saying, “In tribute to your nobility so that you may be remembered by all.”
3. The eagle, the snake and the cactus
The shield on the flag of Mexico is the image of an eagle standing on a cactus devouring a snake and this icon responds to a part of Mexican history that is told as part of the origin of what Mexico City is today.
According to pre-Hispanic mythology, the Aztecs received a message from Huitzilopochtli to leave the place where they were living at that time and search for the promised land. The sign they had was that they would see a snake standing on a cactus devouring a snake. So They undertook the 300-year journey to reach what they later called Tenochtitlán
This story is part of the most relevant myths of Mexico as it is a historical passage that gave rise to the founding of the current capital of Mexico.
4. Quetzalcoatl
This god was very kind and envied by his brother who worshiped war and violence, so he invented a story about Quetzalcoatl to humiliate him in front of the rest of the gods. Quetzalcoatl, which in Mayan means Feathered Serpent, ashamed of the humiliation, decides to burn himself to disappear.
However, what Quetzalcoatl had actually done was a plan to go down to hell where he stole a splinter from the first humans and combined with their blood to create a new race of humans on Earth.
For this reason, thanks to this Mexican myth, Quetzalcoatl He became the most revered and respected god in the Mayan culture
5. The Chupacabra
This is a contemporary Mexican myth that dates back only to 1995, and is based on an urban legend from Puerto Rico. Throughout the country Rumors began to appear of a strange animal that mainly attacked goats sucking their blood. Although it was never possible to obtain a single video or photographic evidence of such an animal, people claimed to have seen it.
A girl named Adela, who was very harassed by men and who liked to just play with them, while walking to a love date, found a very handsome man dressed in a black charro suit and riding a horse that was leading her. invited to come up. Without thinking she agreed; As they rode they were engulfed in flames and between Adela’s desperate screams they disappeared. People say that this black charro was the devil himself making Adela pay for her arrogance.
7. Kiss Alley
This is a myth originating from Guanajuato , Mexico. It is said that a lover bought the house in front of her beloved so he could see her and be with her in the face of her father’s prohibition against seeing him. When they looked out on the balcony, the houses were so close that they didn’t need much to get close and kiss each other. Her father, upon discovering this, killed her by stabbing her with a dagger, and her lover stayed close to her until he finally died.
8. Chaneques or Aluxes
It is said that the students are small beings that inhabit the region of Veracruz, Yucatán or Chiapas They are similar to elves but even smaller, since they do not exceed one meter in height. They are dedicated to taking care of their owners’ crops and doing evil to people to obtain food and water in exchange for leaving them alone.
This is an example of the importance that agricultural societies give to the conservation of plantations, a work context in which having a good or bad season can be a matter of life or death.
9. The goddess of the moon
In the south of Mexico it is said that Ixchel was a very beautiful young woman wanted by two men who decide to fight for her to the death. However, attacking treacherously, they kill the man Ixchel loved and committing suicide to be with him, they ascended together to heaven to become the god of the sun and the goddess of the moon.
As occurs in many other myths from Mexico, in this one the recurring theme of justice that is fulfilled in the afterlife appears, outside the reach of the limitations of the material world and its violent dynamics. In addition, it offers an explanation of a mythical nature about the origin of two of the main stars.
10. The man on the tracks
This is one of the Mexican legends originating in Durango It is said that several decades ago, in the mid-20th century, a railroad worker got drunk and fell asleep on the train track. When the first engine passed, he cut off its head with its wheels. Legend says that at night it is possible to see his ghost along the route of that railway track, the figure of a man carrying his head under his arm.
11. Nahuales
Human beings who are known by that name are According to legend, they have the ability to turn into animals to fulfill a mission It is a Mexican myth widespread throughout the country and it is believed that owls, eagles, jaguars and coyotes are the animals that Nahuales people use the most to present themselves as animals.
12. The Devil’s Casino
In the city of Hermosillo there is a ruined casino in a relatively isolated area It is said that many years ago a young woman disobeyed her parents to go out one night out with her friends, escaping from her house through the window.
Once they were all gathered, they went to the casino, where dancing music and drinks were offered; In that place the young woman met a handsome boy who invited her to dance, and after several minutes of having a good time, she realized that on the part of the young man where his shoes should be, a crow’s foot and another goat’s foot were protruding. At that moment the room was filled with the smell of sulfur and the casino began to burn rapidly.
