Los Novios-Aztec Legend
The Legend of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl
On a clear day, the towering white peaks of the legendary Popocatépetl
and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes can be seen from the great metropolis of
Mexico City. Rising beyond 17,000 feet in elevation, these two majestic
mountains offer the viewer a breathtaking sight. Snowcapped year round,
the well-known landmarks have captured people’s imaginations throughout
the ages. Located just 45 miles southeast of the nation’s capital, Popo and
Izta, as many affectionately call these two volcanoes, share a story that
reaches back into the mists of time.
Geographically, these two glacier-iced volcanoes represent the second
and third highest mountains in Mexico. The name Iztaccíhuatl in the
indigenous Nahuatl language means “White Woman” and the mountain
actually includes four peaks, the tallest of which reaches 17,158 feet. Many
see her silhouette as resembling that of a sleeping woman, complete with
head, chest, knees and feet. Iztaccíhuatl is an extinct volcano and is a
popular destination for adventurous mountaineers and hikers.
Popocatépetl is the taller of the two mountains, reaching an incredible
17,802 feet in height. Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl are connected by a
high mountain pass known as the Paso de Cortés. Popocatépetl is still
active with the volcano having spewed smoke and ash as recently as
2001. In the Náhuatl language Popocatépetl means “Smoking Mountain”
and as we shall soon see, was aptly named.
In Aztec mythology, the volcanoes were once humans who were deeply in
love. This legend features two star-crossed lovers, the young brave warrior
Popocatépetl and the beautiful princess Iztaccíhuatl. The father of
Iztaccíhuatl, a mighty ruler, placed a demanding condition upon
Popocatépetl before he could take Iztaccíhuatl as his bride. His mandate
required that Popocatépetl first engage in battle against the tribe’s enemy
and return victorious. Variations of the legend include the added stipulation
that Popocatépetl needed to return with the vanquished enemy’s head as
proof of his success.
The story continues with Popocatépetl setting off for battle with Iztaccíhuatl
waiting for her beloved’s return. Treacherously, a rival of Popocatépetl’s
sends a false message back to the ruler that the warrior has been slain
when in fact, Popocatépetl has won the battle and is ready to return to his
Iztaccíhuatl. However, the princess upon hearing the false news, falls ill
and succumbs to her deep sorrow, dying of a broken heart. When
Popocatépetl returns triumphant to his people only to encounter his
beloved’s death, his heartbreak is inconsolable.
He carries Iztaccíhuatl's body to the mountains whereupon he has a
funeral pyre built for both himself and his princess. Grief-stricken beyond
measure, Popocatépetl dies next to his beloved. The Gods, touched by the
lover’s plight, turn the humans into mountains, so that they may finally be
together. They remain so to this day with Popocatépetl residing over his
princess Iztaccíhuatl, while she lay asleep. On occasion, Popo will spew
ash, reminding those watching that he is always in attendance, that he will
never leave the side of his beloved Izta.