Sol y Luna

Malinalli & the Legend of La Llorona (The Weeping Woman)

Legend tells that Mallinali, “La Llorona,” was a Native princess from the Aztec empire who suffered the terrible condition of slavery during the Spanish conquest. She was the slave, translator and lover of Hernán Cortés, the cruel conquistador of Mexico.

The historical figure of Malinalli has been intermixed with Aztec legends (such as La Llorona, a woman who weeps for lost children). Her reputation has been altered over the years according to changing social and political perspectives. In Mexico today, Malinalli, “La Llorona” remains a powerful icon. She is considered “The First Mother of Mexico” and the quintessential victim from the Conquest of the New World.

Malinalli & the Legend of “La Llorona”
(The weeping woman)

Las Lavanderas
(The Washing Women)

Africa and the New World

Los Hijos de Anahuac
(The Children of Anahuac)

My children...Lovely children of Anahuac, your destruction is close…Where will you go?…Where will I be able to send you to avoid your sadness and tears…My children, your end is near!

Juana, la Reina que nunca reino y quien enloqueció de Amor.                           
(Juana, the Queen that never reined and who lost her mind for Love.)

Juana of Castile became the last Queen of Spanish blood to inherit her country’s throne.  She spent many years confined at the convent of Santa Clara in Tordesillas, where she died in 1555, at the age of seventy-six. She had been at various times kept in prison by her husband and her father (10 years), and for 39 years by her son. Many historians have questioned whether her insanity was real. It is believed that Juana of Castile had been accused of mental instability because it justified the grave injustices inflicted on her by those who sought to steal her throne.

Piedad Amor Mio (Have Pity, My Love)

Almost half a century (47 years), was not enough for history to cloak Juana’s heart with oblivion. Everything that I remember happened!  Perhaps I will forget your name but never the embrace that caused me to moan with pleasure.  (Juana to Felipe.)

Loca de Amor (Love Madness)

Juana was persecuted and kept in prison most of her life by men that wanted to have her power and throne. This was the cause of her delirium, feeling constantly in danger of her own life by the monks and custodians of her reclusion in Tordesillas. There are no proofs of it, but many proofs exist of the terrible injustices caused by her husband, father and her own son who tried to convince the world that Juana was not in her mental cabals and incapable to rein the Kingdom.

Africa & el Nuevo Mundo (Africa & the New World)

Malinalli, “La Llorona” legend from Venezuela 

The legend tells that La Llorona scarily appears to men who are not taking care of their family, sending them to their home to be good husbands and fathers.

Malinalli, “La Llorona” legend from Colombia

The Legend tells that la Llorona wishes to be the mother of all children but understanding a mother’s love, she protects all mothers and their children.

Juana del Amor Hermoso (A Love too Beautiful)

Shortly after Columbus' discovery of America, in order to serve the political interests of her parents, Princess Juana is sent off to marry the Flemish prince Felipe (Philip), a man she has never seen. Happily, it seems, Juana and Felipe are blessed with each other. 

Unfortunately, Juana soon discovers that beneath her husband's beautiful exterior lies an abusive and self-serving persona. Felipe betrays her at first with repeated infidelities and finally usurps (with Ferdinand's help) Juana's very sovereignty as monarch with trumped-up charges of insanity.

Pasión y Tragedia (Passion & Tragedy)

Malinalli and Juana, prisoners of “LOVE” in two different worlds.