The legend of the lady in red corresponds to one of the most popular stories in Mexico, from Tehuacán, in the province of Puebla. It has also become an important reference within the national popular culture.
According to locals and other fans of this type of story, the story dates from the 1940s, although thanks to the intervention of the media and the internet, it has reached larger and more diverse audiences. It should be noted that this is mainly due to various television and film productions.
As with most of these stories, this one has some variations that have been added over time. There is even one from the Southern Cone, whose main premise is different from what is known in Mexico.
Origin
Despite the fact that it is an extremely popular Mexican legend, its precise origin is unknown. However, there is a consensus that states that the historical context of the same dates between the 30s and 40s, shortly after the opening of the Hotel Spa Garci Crespo in Tehuacán, Puebla.
In fact, it is said that during the time, this was a popular venue among political figures and celebrities of national and international stature, being a recognized venue within Mexican society.
Although the place housed important figures, some specialists and fans do not establish a definite time regarding the development of the story.
History
The story is set in the 1940s, in the famous Garci Crespo Hotel, a place where he used to receive important figures and also members of high society.
According to legend, one day an attractive woman appeared, perplexing the vast majority of guests with her impressive beauty. In fact, knowing that she was so attractive, it became common for her to be seen almost always wearing a sensual red dress.
One of the men who fell in love with her was the hotel manager, who did his best to claim her right away. However, the proposal was not attractive enough for the woman, although in the end she agreed to become her lover.
Other important facts
-Despite being in a kind of relationship with the manager, the Lady in Red was the object of constant courtship by other men. This resulted in the manager's jealousy growing more and more over time.
-It is said that the woman received a visit from a second lover in her room. It is at this point that two variations in the story occur. One indicates that the Lady in Red was discovered by a maid, who contacted the manager directly.
The other, on the other hand, points out that the woman was being watched by the manager and that he intervened just when she was with her second lover. In either case, the consequences were tragic.
Outcome
In view of the fact that she had been discovered, the woman did her best to help her second lover so that she could escape the manager's anger, which made her practically defenseless against his anger.
After having a heated argument, the manager grabbed the Lady in Red tightly and threw her out the window, killing her immediately. Shortly afterwards, the body was discovered by the gardener, who reported what happened to the hotel managers. In view of that, the following is said to have happened:
-It was decided that the woman would be buried in a part of the hotel without further information being given about it. In fact, currently, the headquarters of an important university in the region is built in the area.
-Although the matter was not discussed further, both visits and income drastically decreased, due to the bad reputation that the place was gaining over time.
-Due to the tragedy of having killed the woman he loved with his own hands, the manager decided to kill himself.
-The legend tells that the spirit of the woman is still disturbed due to the circumstances of her death, so it is possible to see her walking around with her always sensual red dress.
Curiosities
-Although it is more common to see her walking there, some locals have affirmed that it is possible to hear her laments, especially, in the place where she was buried.
-Unlike other spirits and ghosts, it is said that the Lady in Red is not an aggressive entity, but rather peaceful and calm. Apparently she is only waiting for a soul to take pity on her so that she can move her body to a quieter and less cloudy place.
-As mentioned above, the dissemination of the legend has been such that it has served to inspire the production of all kinds of audiovisual materials. In fact, during 2016, the short film also called “La Dama de Rojo” was made, which had the collaboration of Vice México magazine.
Foreign version
The legend from Argentina and Uruguay refers to the "woman in the red dress", who is a ghost that appears to men who are attractive. The story centers on the courtship of a boy who seems to know her during a party.
After dancing all night, he decides to accompany her to her house, and then return to hers. The next morning, the enthusiasm was such that the boy returned to the house of the woman in red with the intention of asking her out.
However, it is the parents who tell him that the young woman has already been dead for a certain number of years. They even take him to the cemetery so that he could confirm the story.
References
- "The lady in red" wanders through Aguascalientes and relives history at "Hotel de Leyendas Victoria." (2017). In Formula Group. Retrieved: September 19, 2018. In Grupo Fórmula of radioformula.com.mx.
- The Lady in Red: A Legend of Tehuacán. (2017). In E-Bodybuilding. Retrieved: September 19, 2018. In E-Cuturismo de e-culturismo.com.
- The legend of the woman who never found comfort. (2017). In Collective Culture. Retrieved: September 19, 2018. In Collective Culture of culturacolectiva.com.
- The woman in the red dress. (sf). In Take Everything. Retrieved: September 19, 2018. In Llevate Todo from carriedtodo.com.
- Legend - The Lady in Red. (sf). In Legends of Terror. Retrieved: September 19, 2018. In Legends of Terror from leyendasdeterror.pro.
- Legend of the Lady in Red. (2018). In Mexican Legends. Retrieved: September 19, 2018. In Leyendas Mexicanas de leyendasmexicanas.mx.
- We spoke with Johanna Murillo, actress of the horror short film 'La dama de rojo'. (2016). In Vice. Retrieved: September 19, 2018. In Vice de vice.com.