To continue the series of Venezuelan legends, rites, ghosts and mysteries, I would like to tell you today about some famous female ghosts in this country. In the previous installment, I told you about La Llorona, who is a woman who wanders the streets of Venezuelan towns, crying and looking for her children, and who can take the souls of the men who wander at night. In this post I would like to talk about other legends, although less known, that are as interesting as the previous one. Let's start:

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Lady of Isla Blanca

This story supposedly happened in the colony in the 19th century. Legend has it that a beautiful woman from Caracas from a wealthy family had to travel to Paris to buy her trousseau as a bride, as the girls of high society normally did. At that time, no motor boats were known in Venezuela and everyone traveled in sailing boats, so when they were back, the boat suffered a mishap due to the wind and was stranded in the middle of the sea. According to the story, a friendship began between the young woman and the captain. At night and under the moon, they walked around the ship, talking about poetry, history and endless things. This daily and intimate contact made a passionate romance flourish in them, to which they surrendered with frenzy. But more surprisingly, two weeks later, the wind blew again, and the boat began to move.

When they arrived at the island known as "La Blanquilla" or "Isla Blanca", the girl realized the mistake she had made: the captain was married, so she could never be with him; also, in Caracas she was awaited by her fiancé who did not deserve that betrayal and as if it were not enough, his action was an affront and an embarrassment for his family. Full of sorrow and repentance, the girl decided to throw herself into the sea. It is said that her body was never found, but that the captain placed a cross, which still remains, in an area of the island.

Those who have visited La Blanquilla and the fishermen who fish there say that they must leave the island before 6 p.m. because this is the time when a lady appears walking around the island without stepping on the sand, dragged by the wind and that there is so much sadness in her eyes that it makes your bones freeze.

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Lady of the dogs

In the state of Falcón is the Judibana beach, with endless white sands and a woman with some little dogs. The oldest people in the area say that this is the spirit of a beautiful girl who was engaged to a Spanish officer who had to leave for a war in 1813 and never returned. The family, seeing that the young man did not return, wanted to send the girl out of the country but she preferred to take her own life by throwing herself into the sea. It is said that she used to walk with her dogs along the shore of the beach and that this was the place the lovers had to meet. Those who have gone to Jibana say that on the land promontory there are many white crosses that the locals have placed in the area because they believe that this is the only way they have to calm the spirit.

It should be said, with respect to these two stories, that in the Venezuelan culture and beliefs, it is believed that when a person commits suicide, his body "grieves" or wanders in limbo, and can never have an eternal rest. Similarly, if a person dies tragically, a cross is usually placed or buried in the place where the events occurred. Therefore, it is normal to see thousands of crosses in honor of the deceased on Venezuelan roads or highways, as proof that the person died there and for the spirit to "keep or calm down".

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Lady in the mirror

This is perhaps one of the legends that I remember the most and that the first time I heard it, I was very frightened. According to what they say, this story began in a colonial house in Caracas where there was a family with only one daughter. The parents, obsessed with their daughter reaching perfection, subjected her to hard and demanding activities. One of them was to spend long hours in front of the mirror getting ready. One day, the girl felt so overwhelmed and imperfect that she decided to crash into the mirror. She died disfigured and instantly. Legend has it that the parents, so that society would not find out, fixed the mirror and sold it. After that, many people have seen that from time to time, this narcissistic but disfigured spirit appears in the mirrors while people are observing each other, not to mention that anywhere in the world, there is an ancient mirror that keeps the spirit of this girl.

People say that every June 13, St. Anthony's Day, anyone who wants to know their future should get up at 3 a.m. and look in the mirror. Supposedly this girl's face appears and lets her see the future. I have never done it and I think I never will. It's not out of fear, but because I'm not curious to know what might happen to me. LOL. ;)

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As you can see, Venezuelan folklore is full of terrifying, but also magical legends that have survived the passage of time. Regardless of whether or not I believe in these stories, what I seek with the review of these legends is to value and maintain our cultural heritage. ;)

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE

Franco, Mercedes. (2001)Diccionario de fantasmas, misterios y leyendas de Venezuela. El Nacional: Venezuela- Caracas.