Ixtia | The legend of the Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl Volcanoes |

The legend has different versions as it comes from oral traditions. Those of us who either grew up or our ancestors are from areas near these volcanoes have heard the legend. I will tell the one I learned as a kid.

Iztaccihuatl was the daughter of a powerful man and Popocatepetl was a warrior who fought for him. Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl were in love, but their love was “forbidden”. Popocatepetl was sent to war, and the father promised to let them be together if he returned victorious. False news about Popocatepetl’s death spread around, causing Iztaccihuatl to die from sadness. Upon return, Popocatepetl found out his loved one had died and took her body somewhere far in the valley, where he mourned her death and died from sadness as well.

One of the versions tells the earth moved by this scene embraced them, turning their bodies into mountains and covering them with snow. Explaining the shapes of the mountains, on the left, Iztaccihuatl who lays down with her hair on the far left, Popocatepetl is sadly kneeling right next to her body.

Another version tells that Popocatepetl had with him a torch fired by his love for Iztaccihuatl, promising never let it the torch die out when he went to the valley to die next to her. Explaining why Popocatepetl is an active volcano.