![]() English parents have long used the tail of “Jenny Greenteeth,” who drags children down into a watery grave to keep adventurous children away from water where they might stumble in. The ghostly wails of a woman warning of impending death also share similarities with the Irish banshees. The legend of a vengeful mother who slays her own offspring can be traced all the way back to Medea of Greek mythology, who killed her sons after being betrayed by her husband Jason. However, it is possible that the Europeans did bring the seeds of the legend of La Llorona from their homeland. There is no evidence that the historic La Malinche - who did in fact exist - killed her children or was exiled by her people. Despised now by her own people, it is said that La Malinche murdered Cortés’ spawn in vengeance. The conquistador left her after she gave birth and instead married a Spanish woman. According to this version of the tale, La Llorona was actually La Malinche, a native woman who served as an interpreter, guide, and later mistress to Hernán Cortés during his conquest of Mexico. Wikimedia Commons In some versions of the story, La Llorona is actually La Malinche, the native woman who assisted Hernán Cortés.Īn entirely different origin story coincides with the arrival of the Spanish in America back in the 16th century. In order to honor her, the Aztecs sacrificed children. One such goddess is known as Cihuacōātl or “Snake Woman,” who has been described as “a savage beast and an evil omen” who wears white, walks about at night, and constantly cries.Īnother goddess is that of Chalchiuhtlicue or “the Jade-skirted one” who oversaw the waters and was greatly feared because she allegedly would drown people. She has been connected to the Aztecs as one of ten omens predicting the conquest of Mexico or as a fearsome goddess. Mentions of La Llorona can be traced back over four centuries, although the origins of the tale have been lost to time. The tale has various retellings and origins, but La Llorona is always described as a willowy white figure who appears near the water wailing for her children. The legend of La Llorona translates to “The Weeping Woman,” and is popular throughout the southwestern United States and Mexico. Flickr Commons A statue of “La Llorona,” the cursed mother of Southwestern and Mexican folklore.
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