Origin Story
La Llorona is a ghostly figure from Mexican folklore. Her name means "The Weeping Woman," and her story varies. The most common version tells of a woman who, in a fit of despair or vengeance, drowns her children in a river. Realizing the horror of her act, she takes her own life and is cursed to wander the earth, weeping for her lost children.
Symbolism and Spread
The legend blends indigenous Aztec mythology—specifically Cihuacóatl, the goddess who wept for her children—with Catholic morality tales. La Llorona serves as a warning: to obey your parents, stay away from danger, and respect your community. She's often used by elders to keep children in line.
Why It Endures
La Llorona is more than a ghost story—she's a cultural touchstone. Her tale speaks to universal themes of grief, loss, guilt, and fear. She has appeared in films, songs, books, and even schoolyard rhymes. Whether you believe in her or not, one thing is certain: when you hear crying by the river at night, you don’t stop to look.
