The legend of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl

About fifty kilometres from Mexico City, two majestic volcanic mountains stand face to face: Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl. Revered by local inhabitants, they are at the origin of a legend passed down from generation to generation.

Long ago, a warrior and a beautiful princess fell deeply in love. But the King did not look favourably on this relationship. So when the man came to ask for his daughter's hand, the King agreed, on one condition: that he go to war against the enemies of Oaxaca and return with the head of their chief.
The valiant warrior left his beloved behind, determined to return to her. Unfortunately, the King led his daughter to believe that her lover had died. Heartbroken, she died of grief. When the young man returned and learned the news, he kept endless watch over his beloved's body, torch in hand. Moved by sorrow, the gods transformed them into mountains. She became Iztaccíhuatl, “the sleeping woman”, and he became Popocatépetl, “the smoking mountain” — for he expresses his anger by spewing plumes of ash.