Mexico has one of the richest cultures in the world. This ancient history has always sought to explore the wider questions of life: ‘Who are we?’, ‘Why does the ocean exist?’, ‘Who created us?’ and ‘Where are we going?’. Some of these questions are simple, while others are elaborate and profound, and perhaps unanswerable. Whatever the question, ancient Mexican legends and myths hold an understanding of the mystery that gave rise to all creation; to the universe, and to humans.

On the grounds of the spa at One&Only Palmilla, a statue sits tall amidst a still pool of water. This statue was inspired by a native legend told by the local indigenous people, the Pericues, to explain the existence of whales and birds, pitahayas (desert cactus fruit), the beautiful seas, the clear skies, the millions of stars, the shining moon and the evening sunsets.

The legend of a family
The Anajicondi legend is a story about a family and the infinite love of a mother for her son. This is the legend of a father, god of Niparaja, creator of heaven, earth and the sea, creator of every living creature, and his beautiful, wise and loving wife named Anajicondi, and their son Cuaijaib. They lived in heaven and earth.

The creation of whales for protection
The family was happy in their kingdom. But, one of the sub-gods of evil, Tuparan envied the happiness of his master. Niparaja fought him, and once the evil god had been defeated, decided not to kill Tuparan. Instead, he locked him in a cave in the cliffs facing the ocean guarded by monsters. Put in charge of guarding all evil, these monsters were known as whales.

The creation of the beautiful sky
One day, Niparaja asked his son Cuaijaib to help his mother, but his son refused. Niparaja got angry, and sent his son out to hunt for sea pearls to make a necklace for his mother as an apology. Anajicondi decided to accompany her son on his task. While on their journey, they noticed that the sky was not as beautiful as usual, which was very out of the ordinary.

When Anajicondi mentioned this to her husband, he commanded two of their gods of beauty to light up the sky with treasures. They scattered beautiful silver, pearls and precious stones all around the sky, making stars, clouds and the moon.

The creation of people and birds
While out searching for the sea pearls, the most beautiful jewels of the sea, Cuaijaib became greedy and decided to hide the pearls he found for himself. Niparaja was bitterly upset because he knew that his son was lying. To teach him a lesson, he sent him to live on earth as a man. His son Cuaijaib accepted this punishment, and communicated with the help of the birds to his mother in heaven.

The creation of sunsets and desert fruits
One day the lord of the darkness saw that Cuaijaib was wearing a spectacular necklace of pearls. The lord of darkness ordered men to kill Cuaijaib and take it from him. However, while they were stealing the pearl necklace, it turned into a collar of red pitahayas (red cactus fruit) instead of pearls. The red colour of this fruit, and Mexico’s evening sunsets tinged with red, represent the suffering and eternal undying love of Anajicondi for her son and her family.

Anajicondi greets each day, watching the sun cast its golden glow upon the Sea of Cortez, and bringing in nature's healing energy at the gateway to the One&Only Spa. She reminds us to listen to the signals of nature to restore balance and to pause, reflect and take a breath.

Legends Unveiled