Mexicanidades Explained

Que alguien me explique, someone help me understand!

My posts will include terms/sayings in Spanish often called Mexicanidades or refranes, and/or references from the Mexica/Aztec Mythology. This page will be dedicated to explaining my Chican@/LatinX meaning behind these terms.

Vamos agarrando vuelo, let our journey begin:

August 3, 2020

1. "Quien con lobos anda, a aullar se enseña," literal translation "She who walks with wolves learns how to howl." This saying reminds us of the importance of social and professional circles as we work on personal development. Wolves can teach us how to howl, while dreamers can help us figure out different ways of existing.

2. Meztli (Mez-tli) the thoughtful Aztec, Mexica lord of the moon, guarding and illuminating the night.

June 7, 2020

1. "Contra Viento y Marea," literal translation, "against wind and tide." Going against all odds.

2. Mictlantecuhtli (Mict-lan-te-cuht-li) - Aztec, Mexica lord of the land of the dead and ruler of the underworld (Mictlán), known for his courage, because when you live in hell, defeating fear is second nature.

3. "Animas," the spirit of the departed.

April 28, 2020

1. "Con un nudo en la garganta," literal translation, “with a lump in my throat,” that threatens to choke me up.

2. Xolotl (ˈʃolot͡ɬ) - Aztec, Mexica Lord of misfortune known for its composure as it guides the sun to the underworld every night at sunset.

March 19, 2020

1. "Al Mal Tiempo, Buena Cara," literal translation, "To bad weather, good face." This Mexican idiom of encouragement reminds us to remain optimistic and look on the bright side during challenging times.

2. Xiuhtecuhtli (Xi-uhte-cuhtli), Aztec, Mexica Lord of fire known for bringing light into darkness.

January 22, 2020

1. "El Interés Tiene Pies," Our Best Interest Has Feet – this phrase is often used when a person makes a change or a move in the best interest of their wellbeing.

2. Xochipilli (Xochp-illi), Aztec mythological Lord of happiness, wellbeing, as well as agriculture and cultivation.

December 16, 2019

1. "Yo le duro lo que usted me cuide, yo le hablo como usted me trate y le creo lo que usted demuestre." translates to "I will last you as long as you take care of me, I will talk to you as you treat me and I believe what you show me.” In this quote, Frida Kahlo, Mexican artistic icon, reminds us of the relationship between what we put into a connection to what we get out of it. For me, there is no relationship more meaningful than the one we have with ourselves.

2. "Que cosas" - What things or such things - is a Mexican phrase used when introducing a life experience that was surprising or formative.

3. Tepeyolotl, the Mexica, Aztec mythological Lord of intuition, considered to be the heart of the mountain and the ultimate Jaguar warrior.

4. Nadie means no one.

5. Las vibras means the vibes in the room.

6. Chiquita means little one and a term of female endearment.

November 11, 2019

1. "Dios los hace y ellos se juntan," God creates them, and they come together. The idea that like-minded people tend to gravitate towards one another.

2. Tlaloc, the Mexica, Aztec mythological Lord of Rain. Tlaloc is considered to have a majestic approach, he is the giver of life and sustenance; his thunder is feared, loved and respected by all, lord of water and rain.

October 9, 2019

1. "Cada Cabeza es un Mundo," Each of us is a world within, meaning that our worldview is so unique to each of us, so much so, we become a planet of our own.

2. Tonatiuh, the Mexica, Aztec mythological Lord of the Sun. He who makes the day.

September 11, 2019

1. "Haciendo De Tripas Corazón!" is that visceral hunch giving us courage!

2. Huitzilopochtli is the Aztec, Mexica mythological energy/deity of will power, audacity and commitment.

3. "Flor y Canto" is 'In Xóchitl, in Cuícat', in flower, in song, representing art, poetry and philosophy. The original term stems from the Nahuatl tongue, the language of the Aztec, Mexica, still widely spoken within Mexico.

August 23, 2019

1. In 24 horas, Cafe Tacvba, Mexican musical gem, sings to the busy life, reminds us of the many things we need to do, to the point in where we would like to live 24 hours a days. Through their enchanting melody, they inspire us to pause before we continue on this endless path of "things to do". The revolving thoughts, the sleepless nights, the running around can prevent us from enjoying love, and the once in a life time moments, that are precisely that, once in a lifetime, and should therefore be enjoyed.

2. “Pero apenas empezábamos a jugar” how could we possibly leave, we are just staring to play.

3. Quetzalcóatl, the Mexica, Aztec Lord of wind, air and learning.

August 12, 2019

1. "Que no panda el cúnico!" - Reminder to remain calm and fearless. Mexico’s clumsy hero, El Chapulín Colorado, reminds us of the need to stay calm and collected during difficulty. He is infamous for getting into challenging dealings, mixing up all the sayings “dichos” in confusion, and yet, always finding his way out of difficult circumstances. In this instance, what he is trying to convey is “que no cunda el pánico”, “don’t let panic take over”, but he manages to swap words and states “que no panda el cúnico”, a joke that we have culturally adopted and incorporated into our daily discourse.

2. Tezcatlipoca is the Mexica, Aztec Lord forcing us to see our other truth, the darker side of our being who encourages change through personal conflict.

3. Xipe as in Xipe Totec, the energy/deity of renewal and rebirth within the Mexica, Aztec mythology.

4. "Si, siempre con pajarracos en la cabeza." "Yes, always with birds in the head." Having birds in your head tends to describe a person who daydreams or spends too much time in their head.

5. Tod@s means all genders, you all.

August 1, 2019

1. "Comencemos por el principio, pues ahí es donde todo comienza." In trying to figure out where to start our story, we often search our mind of where to begin, only to find that there is no place like the beginning, "Let's start from the beginning, that is where all starts".

2. "No estoy para contarlo, ni ustedes para saberlo." This cultural saying is a Mexicanidad often used when a complex story will be shared with an audience. It’s a concept that nicely demonstrates the contradiction within our culture, “I am not here to tell the story nor are you in a position to know everything”, but this often begs the questions, why are we here otherwise? And why are you moving forward with the story? The answer to these questions is that we actually mean the opposite of what was said, we in fact want to tell the story, and we think you may want to hear it , and the saying typically serves as a warning to the listener of what is about to be unleashed.

3. Xipe as in Xipe Totec, the Lord of renewal and rebirth within the Mexica, Aztec mythology.