Author: AR3
Thousands of years ago, when the Aztec Empire was at its height and ruled the Valley of Mexico, it was common practice to subjugate neighboring peoples and demand mandatory tribute from them. It was then that the chief of the Tlaxcaltecs, sworn enemies of the Aztecs, weary of this terrible oppression, decided to fight for the freedom of his people.
The chief had a daughter named Iztaccíhuatl, the most beautiful princess, who gave her love to the young Popocatépetl, one of the most handsome warriors of his people.
They loved each other deeply, so before leaving for war, Popocatépetl he asked the chief for the princess’s hand Iztaccíhuatl. Her father gladly agreed and promised to welcome him with a great celebration and give him his daughter’s hand if he returned victorious from battle.
The brave warrior accepted, prepared to leave, and kept in his heart the promise that the princess would wait for him to fulfill their love.
Soon after, a rival for the love of Popocatépetl, jealous of the love they shared, told the princess Iztaccíhuatl that her beloved had died in combat.
Overcome with sorrow and unaware that it was all a lie, the princess died…
… Some time later, Popocatépetl returned victorious to his people, hoping to see his beloved. On his arrival, he received the terrible news of the princess’s death Iztaccíhuatl.
Grief-stricken, he wandered the streets for several days and nights, until he decided to do something to honor their love so that the memory of the princess would remain with the peoples.
He had a great tomb built before the Sun, piling up 10 hills to form an enormous mountain.
He took his princess’s body in his arms, carried it to the summit and laid it, lifeless, on the great mountain. The young warrior gave her a final kiss, took a smoking torch and knelt before his beloved to watch over her eternal sleep.
Since then they have remained together, facing each other. Over time snow covered their bodies, turning them into two enormous volcanoes that will stay that way until the end of the world.
The legend adds that when the warrior Popocatépetl remembers his beloved, his heart, which holds the fire of eternal passion, trembles and his torch smokes. That is why, to this day, the volcano Popocatépetl keeps releasing fumaroles.
Your comment reaches us by email and, with your permission, we share it here.