México
Myths & Legends
A Tragic Love Story
This article is copied from "Inside Mexico"
In ancient times, when the Aztec Empire exerted its
dominion over the Valley of Mexico, neighboring towns were subjected to heavy taxation. The chief of the Tlaxcaltecas, longstanding adversaries of the Aztecs, could no longer bear this oppressive burden and resolved to fight for the freedom of his people.
Among the chief’s children was the incomparable
Princess Iztaccihuatl, renowned as the fairest of all
princesses. She had fallen deeply in love with Popocatepetl, a valiant warrior from her father’s tribe, renowned for his striking handsomeness. The two young souls professed an unwavering love for one another, and before departing for battle, Popocatepetl approached the chief, seeking his daughter’s hand in marriage.
The chief gladly consented and made a promise to celebrate their union with great joy upon Popocatepetl’s triumphant return from the war. Filled with hope and determination, the brave warrior made all the necessary preparations and embarked on his journey, carrying within his heart the assurance that the princess would eagerly await their reunion to consummate their love.
However, a jealous rival of Popocatepetl, envious of the profound bond shared by the young lovers, deceitfully informed Princess Iztaccihuatl that her beloved had perished in combat.
Crushed by the weight of grief and consumed by sorrow, the princess succumbed to her despair and passed away, unaware of the falsehood that had shattered her spirit. Meanwhile, Popocatepetl emerged victorious from the battle, yearning to find his beloved princess. Yet, upon his return, he received the devastating news of Iztaccihuatl’s untimely demise.
Overwhelmed by anguish, he roamed the town aimlessly, haunted by his loss for countless days and nights. Determined to honor their love and ensure that Princess Iztaccihuatl would never be forgotten, Popocatepetl commanded the construction of an immense tomb beneath the sun. Ten hills were piled together to form a colossal mountain, symbolizing his eternal devotion.
Gently cradling the lifeless body of his princess in his arms, Popocatepetl ascended to the mountain’s summit and tenderly laid her to rest. With a loving kiss upon her cold lips, he took up a smoking torch and knelt before his beloved, forever guarding her eternal slumber. From that moment onward, they would remain together, forever facing one another.
As time passed, snow cloaked their bodies, transforming them into two colossal volcanoes, inseparable until the end of days. The legend continues that whenever Popocatepetl, the warrior, recalls his beloved, his heart, which preserves the fiery embers of eternal passion, trembles, causing his torch to emit smoke. Thus, to this day, the Popocatepetl volcano continues to release fumaroles.
This tale has been passed down from one generation to the next since the era of the Aztec Empire, dating back to the fourteenth century. The significance attached to these majestic volcanoes is evident, as they have borne the names bestowed upon them during that ancient time.
'El Umbligo de la Luna'
'Mexico' just sounds better than
'Bellybutton of the Moon'
Clay Thompson
The Republic | azcentral.com
What is the origin of the name “Mexico?” Was that what the natives
called it before the Spanish arrived, or is it some form of a Spanish word?
What would you like it to be? There are all sorts of explanations for where
the name came from, so you can pretty much take your pick.
Here is the most common explanation I came across, although there are
several variations of it.
The Mexica were the tribe that — in union with a few other groups — became the Aztecs, the folks who built an empire and were in charge when the Spanish arrived.
Before they became big shots, the Mexica had been out and about just sort of wandering around, looking for a place to settle.
They finally arrived at a lake with an island, and on the island stood a cactus, and on the cactus was an eagle munching on a snake. That was where they founded Tenochtitlán, known today as Mexico City.
When the Mexica arrived, there were already other people there: the Nahua.
They were a little surprised about these newcomers showing up, seemingly out of the blue.
So they said their new neighbors had come from Aztlan, a name for a mythical place that meant “remote” or “somewhere to the north.”
They also used the word “metztli’’ for moon and “xictli” for bellybutton and “co’’ for place.
These newcomers came from Azdtlan, a remote, faraway place, such as the bellybutton of the moon.
It all sounds a bit convoluted, but it all adds up to the Aztecs living in a place called Mexico.
'The Legend of Cacao'
The Gift of the Feathered Serpent
Long ago, when the world was still young and the gods walked among men,
the people of the valley lived in hunger and silence. They had no crops to
nourish them, no songs to lift their spirits. Their hands were empty, and
their hearts grew heavy.
From the heavens, Quetzalcóatl, the Feathered Serpent, watched with
sorrow. He was a god of wisdom and wind, of creation and compassion.
He loved the people and wished to give them a gift—something sacred,
something strong. So he flew to Tonacatlán, the land of abundance where
the gods kept their treasures. Hidden among golden maize and jade
flowers, he found a tree unlike any other. Its pods were deep brown, its leaves glossy and green. It was the cacao tree, sacred and powerful.
Quetzalcóatl stole the tree and carried it to Earth, planting it in the rich soil of Tula. He called upon Tlaloc, the god of rain, to water its roots, and Xochiquetzal, goddess of beauty, to bless it with flowers. The tree flourished, and soon its pods were harvested and ground into a bitter, dark drink.
He taught the people how to prepare it—xocolatl, the drink of the gods. It gave strength to warriors, clarity to poets, and joy to lovers. The people rejoiced, and their songs rose to the sky.
He taught the people how to prepare it—xocolatl, the drink of the gods. It gave strength to warriors, clarity to poets, and joy to lovers. The people rejoiced, and their songs rose to the sky.
But the other gods were furious. “You have given mortals a divine gift,” they said. “You must pay the price.”
And so, Quetzalcóatl was cast out, his heart broken but his spirit proud. The cacao tree remained, a living memory of his love and sacrifice.
To this day, when we drink chocolate, we honor the god who gave it to us—not for power, but for kindness.
