The Legend of La Llorona (The Weeping Woman) Full Legend in description

In most versions of the story, María falls in love with a wealthy, handsome man, and together they have two children. However, over time, María’s husband begins to lose interest in her and becomes unfaithful. Consumed by jealousy and despair, María takes her two children to a river in a moment of blind rage and drowns them. When she realizes what she has done, she is overcome with grief and regret. Unable to live with her actions, she either drowns herself in the river as well or dies of heartbreak soon after.

After her death, María’s spirit is condemned to wander the earth for eternity in search of her lost children. She is often depicted near bodies of water—rivers, lakes, or canals—crying and wailing, "Mis hijos!" ("My children!"). According to the legend, La Llorona will abduct or harm children she encounters, mistaking them for her own, or out of jealousy and resentment for her loss.