The Legend of Popocatepetl & Iztaccíhuatl: A Love Story
The view that adorns the world’s largest city – Mexico City – is enhanced by the majesty of two of
the highest volcanoes in the hemisphere: Popocatepetl and Iztaccíhuatl.
The presence of these enormous millennial volcanoes has been of great significance for the different
societies that have admired and revered them, being a source of inspiration for the many legends
about their origin and creation. Among these, the best known are two below.
Thousands of years ago, when the Aztec Empire dominated the Valley of Mexico, it was common
practice to subject neighboring towns and to require a mandatory tax. It was then that the chief of
the Tlaxcaltecas, bitter enemies of the Aztecs, weary of this terrible oppression, decided to fight for
his people’s freedom.
The chief had a daughter named Iztaccihuatl: the most beautiful of all the princesses, who had
professed her love for young Popocatepetl, one of her father’s people and the most handsome
warrior. Both professed a deep love for each other, so before leaving for war, Popocatepetl asked
the chief for the hand of Princess Iztaccihuatl.
The father gladly agreed and promised to welcome him back with a big celebration to give him his
daughter’s hand if he returned victorious from the battle. The brave warrior accepted, prepared
everything and departed keeping in his heart the promise that the princess would be waiting for him
to consummate their love.
Soon afterward a love rival of Popocatepetl, jealous of the love they professed to each other, told
Princess Iztaccihuatl that her beloved had died in combat. Crushed and overwhelmed by sadness,
the princess died without even knowing that it was a lie.
Popocatepetl returned victorious to his people, hoping to find his beloved princess. Upon arrival, he
received the terrible news of the death of Iztaccihuatl. Devastated by the news, he wandered about
the streets for several days and nights, until he decided he had to do something to honor her love
and to assure the princess would not ever be forgotten.
He ordered a great tomb to be built under the sun, piling ten hills together to form a huge mountain.
He carried the body of his Princess in his arms, took her to the summit and laid her on the great
mountain. The young warrior lovingly kissed her cold lips, took a smoking torch and knelt in front of
his beloved to watch over her eternal sleep. From then on they remain together, facing each
other. Over time, snow covered their bodies forming two enormous volcanoes that would remain
together until the end of time.
The legend goes on to say that when the warrior Popocatepetl remembers his beloved, his heart –
that preserves the fire of eternal passion – shakes and his torch smokes. That’s why, even today;
the Popocatepetl volcano continues spewing fumaroles.
This legend has been passed on from generation to generation since the time of the Aztec Empire,
in the XIV century, and the importance given to them is clear, for the names that they have today
were given to them since that time.
https://www.inside-mexico.com/the-legend-of-popocatepetl-iztaccihuatl/