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La Llorona (The Weeping Woman)
She drowned her children to be with a man who rejected her. Now she wanders waterways crying 'Ay, mis hijos!' (Oh, my children!). Hearing her means death. Children who stray near water disappear.
1500s - Present
Mexico and Latin America
10000+ witnesses
La Llorona is Latin America’s most feared ghost.
The Legend
Origin story:
- Beautiful woman
- Loved nobleman
- He spurned her
- Drowned her children
- In grief/revenge
The Appearance
What she looks like:
- White dress
- Long black hair
- Weeping constantly
- Near water
- Sometimes faceless
The Cry
“Ay, mis hijos!”:
- Heard at night
- Near rivers, lakes
- Heartbreaking wail
- If close: danger
- If far: warning
The Warning
What it means:
- Death approaching
- To you or loved one
- Children especially
- Stay inside
- Pray for protection
Geographic Spread
Found everywhere:
- Mexico
- Central America
- South America
- US Southwest
- Caribbean
Modern Sightings
Still reported:
- River banks
- Irrigation canals
- Beaches
- Late night
- Children’s safety