What is The Weeping Woman?
The haunting Mexican legend of a mother's ghost doomed to wander the riverbanks forever.
Available Variants
At a Glance
North America / Mexico
8 min read
Medium
Ghosts
Tragedy
Cautionary Tale
The Weeping Woman
Annotations Enabled
Late at night, near the banks of the river, a mournful cry can be heard: 'Ay, mis hijos!' It is the spirit of Maria, known as La Llorona...
Field Notes
My Folklore Journal
Record your thoughts, motifs you noticed, or personal connections to this tale.
Cross-Cultural Sister Tales
Cultural Note
The legend has roots in both Spanish and Indigenous Aztec mythology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Editorial Review
E-E-A-T
Reviewed by
Dr. Eleanor Vance, Folklore Studies
Last updated
April 30, 2026
Sources & References
- 1.Aarne, A. & Thompson, S. — The Types of the Folktale (1961)
- 2.Lindahl, C. — European Folklore: An Encyclopedia (2004)
- 3.Dorson, R. — Peasant Customs and Savage Myths (1968)
Community Discussion
F
FolkloreFan2 days ago
I love how this variant emphasizes the role of the magical helper. It's so different from the version I grew up with!
S
Scholar_Jane5 hours ago
The ATU 510A classification really helps in seeing the structural similarities with Ye Xian. Fascinating stuff.
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