The Legend of La Llorona

Written by MikeH

The Legend of La Llorona 

La Llorona, which in English can be translated as the “Weeping Woman”, is an ancient tale told by parents and grand-parents in all Latin American countries, and it is in Mexico where it has its strongest presence. 

As I child growing up in Mexico, this is a story I have heard through my parents and grand-parents. I still remember a rather disturbing night, when I had a terrible nightmare. What I saw was a woman floating close by my window. She was wearing a white long dress and was facing downwards. Although I was unable to look into her eyes, I could perceive a grief radiating from her. 

Having a curious nature, I decided to investigate further about this mysterious lady, who has become part of the Mexican folklore. I will share with all of you my findings in the hope that you too will learn more of this soul. 

Representation of La Llorona

Origins of the legend

The legend has been transmitted orally and several versions can be found. Despite all the variations, the core facts appear to be similar: La Llorona is presented as the wandering soul looking desperately for her children and frightens anyone that can hear or see her by the cry “¡Ay mis hijos!” (Where are my children?) 

Basically the story tells of a beautiful indigenous woman, Maria, who drowned her children in a river in Mexico City as a means of revenge because her husband, a rich Spanish soldier, left her for a younger woman. She soon realizes that her children are dead, so she too drowns herself in anguish. Another variation of this story states, that her husband’s family were opposed to their union and forced him to marry a Spanish woman. 

Maria is not permitted to enter Heaven until she has found her children. She is condemned to wander the Earth for all eternity, searching in vain for her drowned kids. She is trapped in between the world of the living and the spirit world. 

Other versions of the legend

La Llorona is also sometimes identified with La Malinche, the Nahua woman, who served as Cortés's (Spanish Conqueror) interpreter and who some say was betrayed by the Spanish conquistadors. She became Cortés's mistress and bore him a child, only to be abandoned so that he could marry a Spanish lady. Aztec pride drove La Malinche to acts of vengeance. In this context, the tale compares the Spanish discovery of the New World and the destruction of indigenous culture after the conquest with La Llorona's loss (she weeps for her dead children, she betrayed). 

Goddess Cihuacoatl

Local Aztec folklore possibly influenced the legend; the goddess Cihuacoatl or Coatlicue was said to have appeared prior to the discovery of New Spain by Hernán Cortés, weeping for her lost children, an omen of the fall of the Aztec empire.

Parents often use this story to prevent their children from staying out at night. In some versions of this tale and legend, La Llorona will kidnap children who resemble those of her own. She will ask them for forgiveness and drown them so they will take the place of her own, but they never forgive her and she keeps trying. 

People who claim to have seen her say she wanders at night or in the late evenings by rivers or lakes in Mexico or any other water source. When her cry is heard far away in the distance, you need to flee as she might be close to you. Other myths state that she should never be looked directly into the eyes as to do so would cause illness to that that person and they would die. Some witnesses claim their hair turned grey after they encountered her. 

Around the world other myths and legends can be found, which present similar characteristics to the one of La Llorona. In Irish mythology, the Banshee immediately comes to mind. This is a female spirit announcing someone’s death through horrible howls that can be heard from far away in the distance. She is usually associated with old Irish families. 

Another interesting myth is the White Lady, a type of female ghost who can be found around the world and is often associated with tragedy or death. Common aspects to all these legends are the themes of losing someone or being betrayed by a husband or love. 

Even more ancient legends can be found in the ancient Greek culture with similar themes. For example the tale of Lamia, who was Zeus’s lover. Goddess Hera, Zeus' wife, forced him to end the relationship and punish Lamia by forcing her to eat her own children. Following, Lamia is condemned to wail with no direction, devouring children from other human mothers as she is jealous for having lost her own. And last but not least, still within Greek mythology, Medea killed the two children fathered by Jason (one of the Argonauts) after he left her for another woman. 

I would like to conclude by thanking Ben Kesp for allowing me to share my passion in mythology and ancient history with you. I look forward to contributing again soon on another interesting topic! I will close by including some references about La LIorona from cinema and music from Mexico. 

Cinema

Las Lloronas (2004) – Mexican film

Kilometro 31 (2006) – Spanish-Mexican film, with the participation of Spanish actor Adrià Collado

Music

La Llorona by Mexican singer Chavela Vargas (from film “Frida”)

La Llorona by Lila Downs 

La Llorona by Eugenia de León

La Llorona by Mexican band Caifanes

La llorona (interpreted in Nahuatl, Mexican indigenous language)

Images supplied by author.