by Laura Beth Caldwell

Created on: December 20, 2011   Last Updated: December 21, 2011

Every culture has its legends, some more haunting than others. Perhaps one of the most terrifying legends, especially for children, is that of La Llorona—the “Weeping Woman” of Mexican lore.

Pronounced LAH yoh ROH nah, the specific origins of this timeless tale are unknown. It can however be traced back as far as the early 16th century, to Spain’s conquest of Mexico. As with most legends, the tale of La Llorona has taken on many versions over the centuries. However, there is a common premise that remains in each—that of a weeping woman desperately seeking her lost children.

The apparition of a tall and gaunt-looking woman dressed in a tattered, white gown is said to wander the riverbanks of Mexico crying out “Ay, mís híjos!” “Oh, my children!” Legend has it that this desperate specter roams about after dark along the river, mourning children she lost in life. This mournful ghost is anything but friendly. If she is encountered by a child, it is said that she will “snatch” the youngster and drag them down to a watery grave.

One version of the La Llorona legend tells of a beautiful young woman named Maria. Her beauty is unsurpassed in all her village. Each night Maria dresses in her best white gown and goes out to cavort with the gentlemen of the town, each of whom adorn her with their affection. She revels in the attention she is given. There’s just one slight problem, one thing holding Maria back from the privileged life she craves—her children. Each night as Maria sets out on her endeavors, she leaves her two small sons behind. The attention she so craves from her gentlemen friends is stronger than the bond she has with her children. As the tale goes, one night when Maria returns home from her escapades she finds her children missing. She later discovers their drowned bodies down by the nearby river. Overcome with grief and remorse for leaving her children, Maria takes her own life. Her spirit then becomes doomed to walk along the riverbank perpetually mourning her sons.

Another version of La Llorona claims that Maria was a devoted wife to a wealthy and handsome man who no longer cares for her. During her marriage she bore her husband two sons whom he adores. The tale goes that one day while walking along the river with her sons, her husband’s carriage pulls up next to her. The husband leans out of the carriage lovingly stroking the boy’s heads and speaking to them softly, but not-so-much as glancing at Maria. As the carriage drives off Maria notices a female form sitting next to her husband. She has been shunned and betrayed for the last time. In a fit of jealous rage Maria drags her sons down to the river and brutally drowns them. Standing over the lifeless bodies of her children, she suddenly feels remorse. She tries to revive the boys but it is too late. Again, the story tells of Maria’s death shortly thereafter, and of her remorseful spirit that wanders the banks of the river looking to replace her dead children.

It is told by some that La Llorona was an Indian princess named Malinchu, rumored to be the mistress of a Spanish conquistador. When her noble lover refused to marry her, threatening to take the children she bore him back to Spain, Malinchu decided their fate—she drowned them in river near her home.

To this day the spirit of La Llorona roams about the riverbanks of Mexico. Her tale has migrated with the Hispanic culture into New Mexico, Texas, and other parts of South America. Her weeping and vengeful cry still echoing through the darkness…“Ay, mís híjos! Mís híjos!”

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