- The 7 most outstanding legends of Jalisco
- 1- The pile of snakes
- 2- The black charro
- 3- The clock of death
- 4- The haunted tree in the cemetery
- 5- Nachito, the boy who feared the dark
- 6- the pirate's treasure
- 7- The vampire tree
- Themes of interest
- References
Some of the best known Jalisco legends revolve around creatures of the night. The cemetery in the center of the city of Guadalajara, called Panteón de Belén, is attributed many stories about vampires and apparitions.
The Mexican state of Jalisco has a very colorful and intriguing popular imagination that enriches its already fascinating identity, from which many of the typical Mexican cultural characteristics such as tequila, mariachis, ranchero songs and the famous charro hat derive.
The pile of snakes, scene of a Jalisco legend.
Its capital is Guadalajara, one of the most important cities in Mexico and the second largest in the country. Its metropolis contains many old buildings and houses of colonial architecture full of mystery and charm.
Cemeteries, hospitals, alleys, and hospices in Jalisco are common destinations for curious tourists who want to experience a taste of these fantastic stories.
The 7 most outstanding legends of Jalisco
1- The pile of snakes
In Talapa there is a fountain or basin with four serpents carved in stone from which the water jets come out.
Legend has it that the snakes were four village wives who used to gossip about people's atrocities in the 19th century.
They were known as the María Lenguas and used to meet at the fountain. One day the Indian Macario warned them not to continue with this custom of speaking ill of people; they laughed out loud and insulted him.
Macario drank water from the fountain, wet Maria at four o'clock and cursed them in the Otomi language. The four María Lenguas began to twist into stone serpents, sticking to each side of the bowl of the fountain.
2- The black charro
In the streets of Tuxpan de Jalisco an ancient legend is told about a man dressed as a black charro riding a jet horse. The footsteps of hooves could be heard in the distance. Whoever felt the hooves very close saw the shadowy figure.
This happened in the early morning hours, and it was believed that it was the Devil himself. The charro approached people to accompany them through the streets, especially young women.
He offered to take them home on horseback. If they naively accepted, the charro revealed her real form when they were already on the animal's back.
It is said that the man grew twice his size and caught fire, setting his victim ablaze in the flames of hell. From that moment on, the girl's soul belonged to the Devil.
The most intelligent refused to ride, but allowed him to accompany them home so as not to trigger their transformation. They said goodbye with a cordial gesture and the black charro left as if nothing had happened.
3- The clock of death
This urban legend speaks of the famous clock of the Hospicio de Cabañas, which was admired by the inhabitants of the city when it was built. Months after installation, the watch began to fail, stopping without explanation.
And just as it stopped, after a while it began to work again. This happened for a time without anyone being able to answer the mystery. It could stop at any time of the day or night, without any pattern.
Along with these events the children of the hospice began to die. The nuns realized that this was happening just as the clock stopped. In 1952, the death clock was ordered to be destroyed.
4- The haunted tree in the cemetery
This legend tells about a young patient from the old hospital that was next to the Pantheon in Bethlehem. The boy was dying of cancer and nothing the doctors could do could end his suffering.
One afternoon his mother placed a picture of his favorite saint in his hand while he slept. Upon awakening, Santiago expelled his mother from the room, cursing and shouting furiously that he did not believe in the saints, neither in her nor in God.
The next day Santiago was found hanged from a tree in the cemetery with hospital sheets. Some time later the tree was cut down, of which only a small stump remained.
It is said that at night you can still see the complete shadow of the tree with a hanging human shadow.
5- Nachito, the boy who feared the dark
Ignacio was a child who from birth was very afraid of the dark and closed spaces. His parents had to keep the lights on at night so Nachito could sleep; if not, he cried and screamed in despair.
Nachito died at the age of 5, and legend has it that the nanny forgot to turn on the four lights in the corners of her room. The body was buried in the Pantheon in Bethlehem. For ten days in a row the coffin appeared in the morning outside the tomb.
Some accounts say that they also saw the child's ghost looking for the street light. His parents modified the tomb, keeping the coffin on the surface with four torches in each corner.
People who visit the cemetery tend to leave toys and candy on Nachito's grave.
6- the pirate's treasure
This legend tells the story of a pirate who dedicated his life to stealing the wealth of other pirates, hiding everything in a secret place. The man decided one day to quit piracy and enjoy a full life in the city.
The pirate took his secret to the grave. He did not tell anyone the location of his great treasure, not even his own son. His tomb can be found in the Pantheon in Bethlehem.
It is said that if a candle is lit on the grave and the rosary is prayed to him, the pirate's ghost will appear and tell where his treasure was hidden.
7- The vampire tree
It is said that during the nineteenth century a vampire struck the city of Guadalajara. First, dead bodies of urban animals were found in the streets, then cattle and small babies. The characteristics were always the same: the blood was drained from the corpses.
The population was alert to hunt down the creature. The plan was to starve the vampire out of hiding. For several nights no one left their homes, leaving the streets deserted.
When they saw the dark figure of a man walking through the shadows of the night, people cornered the vampire and killed him by piercing him with a wooden stake through his heart. Some versions say that they also cut off his head and burned his body.
The remains of the creature were buried in the Pantheon in Bethlehem. According to legend, the stake still lay in the center of her chest when she was buried. From the stake filled with his blood grew a tree that made its way through the concrete slabs.
This tree is believed to contain the soul of the vampire who seeks to push the coffin to the surface with the roots to strike the city again.
It is also said that if the tree dies, the vampire will return. In the cemetery you can visit the tree that is fenced on all four sides.
Some accounts say that the tree's sap contains the blood of its victims. For this reason, every root or branch that pokes out from between the stone is cut and burned.
Other accounts say that they have seen apparitions of the victims near the tree. Some even claim to have seen faces on the trunk.
Themes of interest
The streets of colonial cities and their legends.
Legends of Guatemala.
Legends of Mexico.
Mayan legends.
Argentine legends.
Colombian legends.
Legends of Guanajuato.
Durango legends.
Chihuahua legends.
Legends of Campeche.
Chiapas legends.
Legends of Baja California Sur.
Baja California legends.
Legends of Aguascalientes.
Legends of Veracruz.
References
- Explore Guadalajara. Pantheon of Belen Haunted Cemetery Legends. The Guadalajara Explorer. Recovered from explore-guadalajara.com
- Cherry Rouge (2017). The Vampire in Guadalajara. Not me. Recovered from aminoapps.com
- Fana López (2016). 8 Legends of terror in Guadalajara that will take away your sleep. BuzzFeed. Recovered from buzzfeed.com
- Mexconnect Staff (2009). Guadalajara resource page: Jalisco's capital of culture and festivals. Mexconnect. Recovered from mexconnect.com
- Pastor Swope (2008). The Vampire's Ghost of Guadalajara. The Paranormal Shepherd. Recovered from theparanormalpastor.blogspot.com
- Histories, Legends and Tales of Mexico. El Charro Negro, Guadalajara. Recovered from talesleyendasy talesdemexico.es.tl
- Horror legends. The Black Charro. Recovered from legenddeterror.com
- Indigenous legends of Mexico and the world. Legends of Jalisco. Recovered from leyendasindigenas.com.mx
- For all of Mexico. Myths and Legends of Jalisco. Recovered from paratodomexico.com