La Llorona ("The Weeping Woman") is a widespread legend in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Central America. Although several variations exist, the basic story tells of a beautiful woman by the name of Maria killing her children by drowning them, in order to be with the man that she loved. When the man rejects her, she kills herself. Challenged at the gates of heaven as to the whereabouts of her children, she is not permitted to enter the afterlife until she has found them. Maria is forced to wander the Earth for all eternity, searching in vain for her drowned offspring, with her constant weeping giving her the name "La Llorona". In some versions of the tale, La Llorona kidnaps wandering children, or children who disobey their parents. People who claim to see her say she comes out at night or in the late evenings from rivers or oceans in Mexico. Some believe that those who hear the wails of La Llorona are marked for death, similar to the Gaelic banshee legend. She is said to cry "Ay, mis hijos! Ay, mis hijos!" which translates to "Oh, my children!" In another version, she is out when her children are kidnapped, murdered, and thrown in the Santa Fe River. In grief she kills herself. When she reaches the pearly gates, God asks her where her children are. Since she doesn't have them she can't enter the afterlife, so she is forced to wander the earth for eternity. She is said to claim any children wandering near the river at night. She puts her long, bony fingers on the child's shoulder and says,"Aquí están mis hijos," or in English ,"Here are my children." Seen at the exhibit at SOMArts Dia de los Muertos annual altar displays. Thank you for stopping by. I really do appreciate all your views and comments.