Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

The Legends of Xtabai


The Rogue Speaks:

In keeping with my search for little-known facts/fiction on Jenny's
Alphabe-Thursday, I present to you today the legends of Xtabai!

The first legend of Xtabai tells of a young woman of the Mayan aristocracy. She is beyond beautiful, with dreamy eyes and a seductive smile. Every young man lusted after her but she was indifferent to all of them, including a handsome and gallant nobleman.

One resident of her village was a sorceress who wanted the nobleman for herself. She lures the beautiful maiden to her cottage and tricks her into drinking a potion that turns her into an insatiable sex-addict. The young woman's addiction eventually causes her death. It is said that she was re-born as Xtabai, who appears to men as a seductive woman with long hair and a flowing dress. She then turns into an evil spirit, causing the death of any man who follows her.

Another legend tells of two women, one good and the other evil. The evil one was beautiful, but she was shunned because she was a loose woman, and the good one had virtue but was scornful of the poor. When both died the good one's body began to stink of decay, but the evil and beautiful one's body was sweet-smelling. The "good" woman was reborn as Xtabai, who led men to their death with her selfishness.

Xtabai appears to men during a full moon. They never see her face, but she lures them into the deep forest, where they are then killed. Xtabai still walks the earth today!!

46 comments:

Ames said...

I always enjoy my stop here. I learn so much from your post!~Ames

La said...

Hi Judie! Thanks for such unusual stories. Talk about the fury of a woman scorned, YIKES!

JJ said...

Oh no. It wasn't the airplanes. 'Twas beauty killed the beast.

Vicki/Jake said...

XTRA SPOOKINESS...Love it!

Unknown said...

I will have to keep JDaniel close during a full moon!

Sue McPeak said...

I'm just wondering about how she did the other night with the 'Super Moon'!!! Yikes!!!

Teresa said...

Such fascinating tales! Both equally interesting.

EG CameraGirl said...

WHO! Xtabai sure sounds like a very dangerous woman!

Slice of Pie said...

Interesting story - love your site.

Unknown said...

I have some stuffed animals JDaniel doesn't like we can use if he comes back. Thanks for the tip!

storybeader said...

what out! Gosh, all horrible creatures except for the one who was poor! Hmmmm... now what does that tell you? {:-Deb

Annesphamily said...

What a fascinating story! I love learning new things as I travel through the blog world! Thank you!

Cindy Adkins said...

Wow, this indeed a fascinating tale! And what a perfect X post!!!
XO

Bruce Coltin said...

Judie, I'm not sure what lesson to take away from this story. Should I just be very careful of sweet smelling dead beauties?

Tom Hakkinen said...

Great story Judie. I like the image of the moon as a beautiful woman luring men into the woods and their doom.

Unknown said...

It feels so great to visit here again and learn something so interesting! I've missed your blog so much these past weeks!

How in the world did you even come across a legend like this? You have such a vast knowledge of so many things! I think you are incredible :) Thanks for sharing!

Along These Lines ... said...

How on earth did you find the Xtabai? Very cool, Judie. Devilishly clever, those Mayans (& thanks for your comments).

Judie said...

Everyone, next week, when I write my "Y" post, you will find out just how I learned the legends of Xtabai. I have known about her for many decades!

21 Wits said...

Oh the trickery of the beautiful maiden who walks the earth still..oh no dear men beware!!! ...what a charming and powerful story you weaved again for our enjoyment, and serves as a fine warning for all men of the world! Great stuff for that harder than ever X!

Magyar said...

Oooo, just think of the mix, Judie!

Me? Hungarian/Irish.
The Grandmom? Italian/Polish.

__My Granddaughter's given name is
Maya... her Mom, and that Grandfamily, are from Peru!
__Without prodding, Maya has [in her ninth year] developped a
heavy interest in her Peruvian influance!
_m

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Hmmm, one of the few stories in which the bad wins over good. Guess that explains some of the greedy powerful (depending on your perspective) women today.

Jo said...

ohh that was such an interesting post ... usually its the "good" that wins or triumphs ... and i can't wait till next week to see why you know of such a creature!

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

Oh my, I'll have to keep a close eye on my honey tonight with the full moon....

Tammy said...

At first I thought the moral of the story was that it's bad to like sex, but wait! The virtuous ones were cursed with stinkiness and death...by sex. Those Mayan misses must've been a confused lot! ;) Very interesting, though! Can't wait to come back on "Y" day!

Jackie said...

ooooo scary . I love that name Xtabai. It sounds familiar in one of the movies I've seen but I'm losing my memory ...oh wait why yes of course it's the creepy prisoner of Escaban from Harry Potter

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Fantastic stories, in both versions, Judie! I have two boys, so full moon will not do..

Judie said...

The name Xtabai is pronounced "ish-ta-by," if anyone is interested.

Cher Duncombe said...

This was extremely interesting, Judie. As I was reading, I was thinking that there are probably a few women walking this earth who are exactly as you described. Sure enough, that was your conclusion. Well done!

Jackie said...

Thanks for the phonotation sound of the name . What's up Judie? How are you? Have you been busy with your painting lately? Keep it up . You were in my dream the other night . It was good but I must say you've been on my mind since then and wouldn't it be nice to meet someday . Take care xo

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

Fascinating X stories!!! Thanks for sharing!
Have an awesome day!
Coralie

Gattina said...

Fortunately I have nothing to fear because I am a woman unless she also is a lesbian :) !

Anonymous said...

Oh I love myths and legends. You always find such great stories to go along with the letters, thanks for sharing 'x' with us!

Judie said...

Bruce, that is entirely up to you! It is a rather strange legend, I think. Of course we have some strange legends in this country as well!!

THE SNEE said...

Ahh....a cautionary tale for menfolk. I love myths. Thanks for writing about Xtabai. I can't wait for the whY.

Pondside said...

Xtabai is one scary woman!
It's interesting that so many cultures have stories of beautiful and evil woman who lure men to their deaths.

City Share said...

It's always fun to see what you come up with for Alphabe-Thursday. I learn something new each week.

sm said...

interesting story

nothingprofound said...

AH, poor woman! Men can't seem to resist casting her in the image of the evil seductress luring them to their doom, a doom no doubt they passionately desire in their heart of hearts.

Angelia Sims said...

Leave it to a man to follow a woman's seductive lure (without seeing her face or seeing if she has the same values as them).

HA.

Love the way you tell a story.


Hey....Mrs. Fox might have to re-touch that tat, just a tad. :-)

Judie said...

NP, that's because men don't want to admit that they think with an organ other than their brain!

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

EW! (I had to laugh at Bruce's comment as to what to learn from the stories...the moral of the story is...) hm...neither versions have happy endings! I love a happy ending.

Blessings & Aloha!
Thank you so much for visiting! And you are toooo kind with your comments, my friend!

jeff campbell said...

What a good story for your "X"...I think there must be a number of 'Madame X's' out there...are you one? Peace my friend

Jenny said...

At first I thought this was a work of fiction but it sounds like from your comments to comments that it is based on another story.

How absolutely fascinating.

I'm not sure where you learn all this, Miss Judie, but it's sure fun to learn at your knee...or would that be at your screen?

I'm not totally sure but I am sure this was an X-citing and interesting stop.

Thanks for linking.

A+

Splendid Little Stars said...

oooo....very creepy!
looking forward to your Y post now!

Lourie said...

Is that why men are so crazed during the full moon? Another great lesson and post!!

MJ said...

I always love your posts, though I don't comment much. :-D This story was especially interesting. I'll be sharing this with one of my friends who is obsessed with the Mayan culture.