Legend of the Enchanted Mannequin, La Pascualita, in Chihuahua
Learn about the mysterious La Pascualita, the "enchanted" mannequin who steals sighs and has become a local legend of Chihuahua, Mexico.
Chihuahua is a versatile and modern city that preserves historic buildings from the viceregal era and is where you can learn more about its foundation and history through time. It also has legends and traditions that you can learn about on your tour of the city; one of them is that of "La Pascualita", a woman who "comes to life" and steals sighs from those who look at her.
Many of those who know her say that the legend is true, and although few dare look her in the eyes, it is a story that is part of the tour through downtown Chihuahua, so you can visit her and discover the secrets behind the sideboard that shelters the woman who once had life.
The Enchanted Beauty of La Pascualita: A Mysterious Mannequin with a Mysterious Past
The legend of La Pascualita is one of the many Mexican legends originating in Chihuahua that has attracted the attention of locals and tourists who are interested in the story of this "mannequin", known as La Pascualita. According to legend, this mannequin dressed as a bride comes to life during the night. Many people even believe that she is a saint, and from time to time they offer her flowers and offerings.
Legend has it that in 1930, specifically on March 25, a beautiful and lifelike mannequin called the Chonita arrived in Mexico from France. The owner of a store called La Popular, Mrs. Pascualita Esparza Perales de Perez, had this mannequin made.
But surely you are wondering why all the fuss over a mannequin? Well, it turns out that this figure was really beautiful and, above all, very realistic. It is possible to observe her hands, for example, and determine that she has cracks and wear on her nails that simulate real nails.
The eyes of this mannequin were so bright that those who saw it said that it had life. There are even those who say that, upon entering the store, the mannequin could see them. However, soon after, a rumor spread linking the mannequin with Mrs. Pascualita. The mannequin was very similar to her daughter, who had died sometime before.
Legend has it that Pascualita's daughter was not only a beautiful and intelligent young woman but that she was about to marry a good man. However, on her wedding day, she was stung by a scorpion (others say by a black widow spider). She was so stung that she did not survive and died.
Her mother, Mrs. Pascualita, could not bear the pain of the loss of her daughter to such an extent that she decided to embalm her so that she would always have her daughter with her. Thus it was that this mannequin was displayed year after year in the window of the store, dressed as a bride. The years went by, and the legend was never denied or affirmed. The store now has other owners. However, the mannequin is still there.
Nowadays, it is said that women who are about to get married and want to enjoy a long and happy marriage should visit La Popular and buy the dress worn by the mannequin. The legend of the Pascualita is so terrifying that even Extranormal, a Mexican television program based on the esoteric, did an investigation on the subject.
