LEGEND OF THE POPOCATEPETL AND IZTACCÍHUATL VOLCANOES: MEANING AND GODS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The legend of the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes tells of a love story between a princess and a warrior that occurred before the arrival of the Spanish on American soil. The story is set in Mexico City, where you can find two of the highest volcanoes in the country.

There are several stories that surround the two volcanoes. The most popular legends agree that these eruptions on earth represent the love between the princess Iztaccíhuatl and the warrior Popocatépetl who protects her.

Popocatepetl. Source: Jakub Hejtmánek at Czech Wikipedia, via Wikimedia Commons.

Mexicans refer to the myth of these two mountains simply as the legend of the volcanoes. The stories were a way for ancient indigenous communities to explain the origin and presence of these volcanoes in the Valley of Mexico region.

Meaning of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl

The National Autonomous University of Mexico, better known only by its acronym UNAM, was in charge of explaining the meaning behind the names of the two volcanoes. According to the academic institution, the origin of the names Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl occurred in the Nahuatl cultures.

This explanation can be found in the Great Nahuatl Dictionary that the institution published in 2012. Nahuatl was a widely practiced language between the mid-sixteenth century and there are places where it is still valid today.

Popocatepetl

According to studies and publications carried out by UNAM, the name Popocatépetl refers to the mountain with smoke. The name was created thanks to the union of two Nahuatl terms: popokani and tepetl. The first word means to smoke or burn and the second means mountain.

According to the information collected in the UNAM dictionary, the term Popocatépetl can also be derived from the term Popocatzin.

Although Popocatépetl was not the only word that Mexicans used to refer to the snow-capped volcano. Some members of nearby communities refer to this mountain as Gregorio or in a more popular way as Don Goyo. This name is even heard today and refers to Pope Gregory I, whose name means guardian.

March 12 is a very important date to honor Popocatépetl. At that time of year, some nearby communities bring offerings to the mountain.

Iztaccihuatl

The dictionary published by UNAM also analyzes the name Iztaccíhuatl, which means a white woman. Research by the academic institution came to the conclusion that the word is used to speak of a female figure, but also of salt or a stone that can be found in trees.

Before the arrival of the Spanish, the Iztaccíhuatl volcano was a sacred site. In various areas of the mountain, remains of ancient objects have been found. There are traces of musical instruments, everyday objects and items that were used in religious ceremonies or rituals.

Legend

There are several interpretations that have been made on the legend of the volcanoes over the years in Mexico. It is a myth that has its origin in pre-Hispanic times. Despite everything, the different versions have similarities, the most important is that they all agree that it is a love with a tragic end.

There are two the most accepted hypotheses about Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl. The first version gained great popularity for the work of Carlos Villa Roiz entitled Popocatépetl: Myths, Science and Culture). The second was supported by Carlos Franco Sodia, who published the work Mexican Legends of Before and After the Conquest.

Many of the versions that exist about the volcanoes were transmitted by means of songs, ancient writings or legends. The story was passed down between different generations and that is why today it remains valid.

Turned into volcanoes

One of the stories from pre-Hispanic mythology tells that Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl were a princess and a warrior who fell in love. Tezozomoc sent Popocatepetl to fight a battle in Oaxaca. Both made a pact that if the warrior returned the winner of the war, he could marry the princess.

Popocatepetl did his part. He defeated Tezozomoc's enemy, but when he returned Iztaccihuatl had died. The warrior could not bear the pain of losing his love and took her body to the mountain and promised that nothing would succeed in putting out the fire with which he guarded her. For that reason the gods decided to turn them into volcanoes.

Covered with snow

Another of the most popular versions differs in the ending that the two lovers had. It is said that Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl were not transformed by the gods into volcanoes but that their bodies ended up covered by snow.

Other versions

The legend about the volcanoes of Mexico City also speaks of an impossible love. Apparently Iztaccihuatl was destined to be sacrificed by her father so that the gods would give her good crops in return. For that reason, she sent Popocatepetl to war and later turned her daughter into a volcano thanks to a spell.

Popocatépetl, upon returning home, wished Iztaccíhuatl to always be protected and for that reason it was covered with snow. Then, the warrior was in charge of transforming himself into a volcano in order to be with his beloved.

Meaning of smoke

Legends about volcanoes also speak about the meaning that smoke has when Popocatépetl enters into activity. According to Mexican mythology, the smoke means that the warrior is remembering his girlfriend.

Gods

The two volcanoes were of great importance to nearby communities before the Spanish managed to conquer the American continent. The mountains were worshiped as if they were gods and that is why in the volcanoes there are many archaeological remains from ancient times that are linked to rites, ceremonies and offerings.

Among the reasons that many of the indigenous people could have for climbing the mountains was the request for rainy seasons. Especially because during the pre-Hispanic period volcanoes were associated with water deposits.

That was the reason why they were such important figures, especially to take care of crop production.

References

1. González, A. (2016). Traditional Mexico: Literature and Customs (1st ed.). Journeys.
2. Iturbe, M., & Paso, F. (2005). The myth of the volcanoes. México, DF: Museum of the Palace of Fine Arts.
3. Melgar Hernández, J., & Ocegueda, A. (2014). Xochiquetzal and Popoca.
4. Meza, O. (1998). Mexican pre-Hispanic legends. Mexico, DF: Panorama.
5. Sosa, A. (1951). Iztaccíhuatl Popocatépetl National Park.: Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock, General Directorate of Forestry and Hunting.