The legend of the Popocatepetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes
The legend of the Popocatepetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes speaks of a love story between a princess and a warrior that occurred before the arrival of the Spaniards to the American continent. The story is located in Mexico City, where two of the highest volcanoes in the country are located.
There are several stories surrounding the two volcanoes. The most popular legends agree that these eruptions on Earth represent love between the Iztaccíhuatl princess and the Popocatepetl warrior that protects it.
Mexicans refer to the myth of these two mountains simply as the legend of volcanoes. The stories were a way that the ancient communities had to explain the origin and presence of these volcanoes in the Valle de México region.
Meaning of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl
The National Autonomous University of Mexico, better known only by its acronym UNAM, was responsible for explaining the meaning behind the names of the two volcanoes. According to the academic institution, the origin of Popocatepetl and Iztaccíhuatl names occurred in Nahuatl cultures.
This explanation can be found in the great Nahuatl dictionary that the institution published in 2012. Nahuatl was a very practiced language between the mid -16th century until today.
Popocatepetl
- According to studies and publications made by UNAM, the name Popocatepetl refers to the mountain with smoke. The name was created thanks to the union of two term of the Nahuatl: Popokani and Tepetl. The first word means moisting or burning and the second means mountain.
- According to the information collected in the UNAM dictionary, the word Popocatepetl can also be derived from the term Popocatzin.
- Although Popocatepetl was not the only word that Mexicans used to refer to the snowy volcano. Some members of nearby communities refer to this mountain as Gregory or in a more popular way like Don Goyo. This name is even heard today and refers to Pope Gregory I, whose name means Guardian.
- March 12 is a very important date to honor Popocatepetl. During that time of the year some nearby communities take offerings to the mountain.
Iztaccíhuatl
- In the dictionary published by the UNAM, the name of Iztaccíhuatl is also analyzed and whose meaning of white woman is. The investigations of the academic institution came to the conclusion that the word serves to talk about a female figure, but also of the salt or a stone that can be achieved in the trees.
- Before the arrival of the Spaniards the Iztaccíhuatl volcano was a sacred site. In various areas of the mountain there have been remains of objects of antiquity. There are traces of music instruments, everyday objects and elements that used to be used in religious or ritual ceremonies.
Legend
- There are several interpretations that have been carried out on the legend of the volcanoes over the years in Mexico. It is a myth that has its origin in pre -Hispanic times. In spite of everything, the different versions have similarities, the most important is that they all agree that it is a love with a tragic end.
- There are two most accepted hypotheses about Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl. The first version gained great popularity for the work of Carlos Villa Roiz of title Popocatepetl: myths, science and culture). The second was backed by Carlos Franco Sodia, who published the work of Mexican Legends before and after the conquest.
- Many of the versions that exist on the volcanoes were transmitted through songs, ancient writings or legends. The story was transmitted between the different generations and that is why today it remains valid.
Converted into volcanoes
- One of the stories of pre -Hispanic mythology speaks that Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl were a princess and a warrior who fell in love. Tezozomoc sent Popocatepetl to fight a battle in Oaxaca. Both made a pact that if the warrior made the winner of the war, he could marry the princess.Popocatepetl fulfilled its part. Defeated Tezozomoc’s enemy, but when Iztaccíhuatl returned he had died. The warrior did not support the pain of losing his love and took his body to the mountain and promised that nothing would turn off the fire with which he guarded her. For that reason the gods decided to turn them into a volcano.
Snow covered
- Another of the most popular versions differs in the end that the two lovers had. It is said that Popocatepetl and Iztaccíhuatl were not transformed by the gods into volcanoes but their body ended up covered by snow.
Other versions
- The legend about the volcanoes of Mexico City also speak of an impossible love. Apparently Iztaccíhuatl was destined to be sacrificed by his father so that the gods gave him good harvests in return. For that reason he sent Popocatepetl to war and then turned his daughter into a volcano thanks to a spell. Popocatepetl when he returned home he wanted Iztaccíhuatl to always be protected and therefore was covered with snow. Then, the warrior took care of transforming himself into a volcano also to be with his beloved.
Meaning of smoke
- Legends about volcanoes also talk about the meaning of smoke when Popocatepetl comes into activity. According to Mexican mythology, smoke means that the warrior is remembering his crush.
Gods
- The two volcanoes were of great importance for nearby communities before the Spaniards managed to conquer the American continent. The mountains were worshiped as if they were gods and that is why there are many archaeological remains of the ancient times that are linked to rites, ceremonies and offerings.
- Among the reasons that many of the indigenous people could have to climb the mountains was the request for rain times. Especially because during the pre -Hispanic period the volcanoes were associated with water deposits.That is why they were such important figures, especially to take care of crops production.
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