Family and community are often involved in these stories. Sometimes, the whole village or family is affected by the presence of the scary entity. For instance, when 'El Chupacabra' attacks livestock, it impacts the livelihood of the farmers in the community. The stories also use cultural symbols. The use of the Virgin Mary or religious icons in some stories to either protect against the evil or as a contrast to the dark forces at play is a notable aspect.
Many Mexican scary stories have a moral element. For example, the story of 'La Llorona' can be seen as a warning against the sin of murdering one's own children. Also, the settings are often in desolate or mysterious places. Dark forests, old haciendas, and lonely riversides are typical. These settings create an atmosphere of unease and fear. The presence of the afterlife and the idea that the dead can interact with the living is another key element.
Ghosts are a common element. Like in 'La Llorona', the spirit of a wronged woman haunts. Another is strange creatures such as 'El Chupacabra'. It represents the unknown and the fear of the wild. Supernatural powers also play a role, like the cursing abilities of 'La Bruja'.
A typical element is the presence of a tragic backstory. Just like with La Llorona who had a very sad and disturbing past that led to her becoming a vengeful spirit. Also, many Mexican scary stories involve the dark side of nature. For instance, the El Chupacabra is associated with the idea of a predator in the natural world gone horribly wrong. It preys on livestock in a very unnatural way, which adds to the scariness.
The idea of punishment for misdeeds. With El Cucuy, it's about kids being punished for being naughty. It creates a fear in children that something bad will happen if they don't follow the rules, and the unknown nature of this bogeyman - like figure makes it scarier.
One common element is the appearance of the goat being strange. For example, it might have glowing eyes or an unusual color like all black. Another element is that the goat often makes scary sounds, like a blood - curdling scream or a strange mix of noises. Also, there is usually a sense of mystery or bad omen associated with the goat, such as misfortune following those who encounter it.
One famous Mexican scary story is 'La Llorona'. It's about a woman who drowned her children in a fit of rage and now wanders, weeping, looking for them. People claim to hear her wailing near bodies of water at night.
Many stories involve some form of tragedy or injustice as a starting point. In 'Kuchisake - Onna', her disfigurement was the result of a cruel punishment. This initial act of violence or wrong - doing sets the stage for the vengeful spirit to emerge and haunt people. Another aspect is the element of mystery. The stories usually don't fully explain the nature of these spirits, leaving a sense of unease and the unknown.
The main elements include religious figures like Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. For example, in the story of the 'Posadas', they are central characters. Also, the concept of hospitality is big as it is about finding a place for Mary and Joseph to stay. Another element is the presence of traditional Mexican items like the Piñata which is an important part of the Christmas story - telling.
Supernatural powers play a big role. For example, in the Nahual stories, the ability to transform is a key aspect. Also, a sense of moral judgment is often present. The scary entities usually are a result of some wrong - doing, like La Llorona's act of killing her children. And there is often an element of mystery, leaving the details somewhat hazy to increase the scariness.
Mexican scary stories also originated from the daily life experiences of the people. Fears about nature, such as floods, droughts, and wild animals, were often incorporated into these stories. For instance, the story of El Chupacabra might have been inspired by unexplained deaths of livestock, which people attributed to a mysterious and terrifying creature. Over time, these stories were told and retold, evolving and becoming part of the rich Mexican folklore.
The cultural and historical context. Many Mexican scary stories are based on ancient Aztec or Mayan beliefs. These cultures had a deep connection with the spiritual world, and some of their more fearsome deities or spirits find their way into the stories. For instance, the Aztec god of death, Mictlantecuhtli, is often associated with dark and spooky tales. His appearance is often described as terrifying, with a skull face and a body covered in bones, and his domain is the underworld, which adds a lot of horror to the stories.
Another spooky tale involves the witches of Tepoztlán. These witches are said to gather in the mountains at night. They perform strange rituals. People believe that if you accidentally stumble upon their gathering, you could be in great danger. They are rumored to have the power to steal a person's soul or make them go insane.