La Llorona Myths

Creepy Legends of Latin America Every culture all around the world has its share of urban legends, myths, folklore and ghost stories. Latin American is no different having a large part of its culture based on religion, tradition, celebrating the dead and keeping bad spirits away. It is no surprise that is has developed many great ghost stories that have been passed from generation to generation. Like all good stories much of its true origin has been lost in time and all that is left is a tale that scares children into behaving. The true origin in these ghost stories may be lost but one thing is for sure, they will scare you no matter the age.

5. El Chupacabras (The goat sucker) A creature that is said to hunt at night and drink
Her story has changed over the years but nonetheless the story is still one of the best. The story of La Llorona dates back to a time before colonials arrived in the new world. This makes this legend around 500 years old and to this day it still terrifying children late at night. The first recorded sighting takes place on the eve of the arrival of Spanish conquer Hernan Cortes and his army to the Aztec capital, what is now known as Mexico City. The goddess Cihuacoatl appeared in the streets among the capital temples, crying out for the fate of the people: “O-h-h, my children, the time for our departure draws near. O-h-h-h, my children! Where shall I take you?”(Inside Mexico, 2015). This figures continued to appear long after the conquest, every night at eleven when the curfew for what was then known as the capital for New Spain rang. A white figure would appear in the streets and the long distressing wails of a woman repeating, “Oh, My Children”, causing even the strongest and bravest of soldiers hearts to tremble. It is said that she would stop at the Capitals Main Square and later head towards the lake Texcoco, where she disappeared at the first rays of dawn. Every once in a while young children would disappear with the wailing spirit, taken by the goddess trying to replace her lost children. The second most common known story of La Llorona is of beautiful woman who falls in love with a Spanish man she cannot have. In order to be with him forever, she has his children in hopes of being together forever. When the man decides to marry another woman, she goes insane drowns her own children and commits suicide. When she reached the gates of Heaven, she could not explain where her children were. Legend has it that she is now forced to wander the spirit world in search of her dead children. The spirit is said to emerge from rivers in Mexico crying out for her children. She screams "Oh, my