The 10 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 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 the modern era that, due to their popularity, have already become traditional myths of the country.

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The 10 most popular myths of Mexico

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 weeping woman

In places where there are lagoons or rivers, at night a woman can be heard shouting "Oh my children!" with a sad and heartbreaking voice. This woman, disgusted by the lack of love from the father of her children, drowned them in the river and then committed suicide by not bearing the guilt of having committed the crime. Since then she is heard at night screaming that lament.

This story has variations depending on the region, since elements of the narrative of it are modified to fit the folklore and values associated with each belief system, but it is undoubtedly one of the most widespread and recognized.

2. The Moon Rabbit

This Mexican myth is told to children to explain the spots that are seen on the moon.

The god Quetzalcóatl went down one day to take a long walk on earth, at nightfall he was tired and hungry without knowing what eat when she passed in front of him a rabbit that she offered him from her food, to which the god refused, because it was not something she used to eat.

The rabbit was offered as a sacrifice to be eaten and Quetzalcóatl in gratitude promised him that from then on he would be remembered. She took it and raised it to the moon to stamp her figure there saying "In homage to your nobility so that you will be remembered by all."

3. The eagle, the snake and the nopal

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 is today Mexico City.

According to pre-Hispanic mythology, the Aztecs received a message from Huitzilopochtli to leave the place where they resided at that time and seek the promised land. The signal they had is that they would see a snake standing on a cactus devouring a snake. So they undertook the 300-year journey until they reached what they later called Tenochtitlán.

This story is part of the most relevant myths of Mexico as it is a historical passage that led to the founding of what is now the 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. Quetzalcóatl, which in Mayan means Feathered Serpent, ashamed of his humiliation, decides to burn himself to disappear.

However, what Quetzalcoatl had actually done was a plan to be able to go down to hell, where he stole a splinter from the first humans and combined with his blood to create a new race of humans on earth.

For this reason, thanks to this Mexican myth, Quetzalcóatl he became the most revered and respected god in the Mayan culture.

5. The Chupacabras

This is a contemporary Mexican myth that only dates back to 1995. Throughout the country Appearances of a strange animal that mainly attacked goats began to be rumored her sucking their blood. Although a single photo or video evidence of such an animal was never obtained, people claimed to have seen it.

6. The black charro

A girl named Adela, who was very besieged by men and she liked only to play with them, when she was walking towards a she dating she found a very handsome man dressed in a black charro suit and riding a horse who invited her to increase. She without thinking agreed; as they rode they were engulfed in flames and between the desperate cries of Adela they disappeared. People say that this black charro was the very devil making Adela pay for her pride.

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7. The alley of the kiss

This is a myth originating from Guanajuato, Mexico. It is said that a lover bought the house in front of her beloved to be able to see her and be with her before the prohibition of her father not to see him. Looking out onto the balcony, the houses were so close that it didn't take much to get up and kiss. Her father, 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

Alunxes are said to be small beings that inhabit the region of Veracruz, Yucatán or Chiapas. They are similar to elves but even smaller, since they do not exceed a meter in height. They dedicate themselves to taking care of their owners' crops and doing evil things to people to obtain food and water in exchange for leaving them alone.

This is an example of the importance given in agricultural societies to the conservation of plantations, a work context in which having a good or a bad season can be a matter of life or death.

9. The goddess of the moon

In southern 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 to heaven together to become the god of the sun and the goddess of the moon.

As in many other myths in Mexico, in this one the recurring theme of justice appears that is fulfilled in the hereafter, out of reach of the limitations of the material world and its dynamics violent In addition, she offers an explanation of a mythical nature about the origin of two of the main stars.

10. Nahuales

Human beings who according to legend they have the ability to turn into animals to fulfill a mission. It is a Mexican myth very widespread throughout the country and it is believed that owls, eagles, jaguars and coyotes are the animals most used by nahual people to make themselves present as animals.

Bibliographic references:

• DK (2015). DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Mexico. Penguin.
• González Obregón, L. (1992): Old Mexico. Mexico D. F.: Editorial Alliance.
• Trejo Silva, M. (2004): Guide of fantastic beings of pre-Hispanic Mexico. Mexico D. F.: Vila.