Supernatural powers play a big role. For example, in the Nahual stories, the ability to transform is a key aspect. Also, a sense of moral judgment is often present. The scary entities usually are a result of some wrong - doing, like La Llorona's act of killing her children. And there is often an element of mystery, leaving the details somewhat hazy to increase the scariness.
Many traditional Mexican scary stories involve curses. These curses can be placed on individuals or entire families. They are often the result of breaking a taboo or wronging someone. The idea of an inescapable fate due to a curse is very scary. Also, the presence of dark magic or witchcraft is not uncommon, adding to the overall sense of dread in these stories.
A typical element is the presence of a tragic backstory. Just like with La Llorona who had a very sad and disturbing past that led to her becoming a vengeful spirit. Also, many Mexican scary stories involve the dark side of nature. For instance, the El Chupacabra is associated with the idea of a predator in the natural world gone horribly wrong. It preys on livestock in a very unnatural way, which adds to the scariness.
One common element is the appearance of the goat being strange. For example, it might have glowing eyes or an unusual color like all black. Another element is that the goat often makes scary sounds, like a blood - curdling scream or a strange mix of noises. Also, there is usually a sense of mystery or bad omen associated with the goat, such as misfortune following those who encounter it.
One common element is the presence of supernatural beings like Jinni. They are often depicted as powerful and unpredictable, able to cause chaos in people's lives. Another is the idea of haunted places, such as old palaces or wells. These places are usually associated with a past tragedy or an evil act.
Some common elements in traditional scary stories include dark and spooky settings like old castles or haunted forests. There are often supernatural beings such as ghosts, vampires, or witches. A sense of mystery and the unknown is also prevalent, for example, strange noises or disappearances that can't be easily explained. Another element is the use of foreshadowing, where small hints are given early on about the upcoming horror.
One traditional Mexican scary story is about La Llorona. It is said that she was a woman who drowned her children in a fit of rage. Now, she wanders near rivers and lakes, crying and looking for her lost children. If you hear her wailing at night, it's a bad omen.
Ghosts are a common element. Like in 'La Llorona', the spirit of a wronged woman haunts. Another is strange creatures such as 'El Chupacabra'. It represents the unknown and the fear of the wild. Supernatural powers also play a role, like the cursing abilities of 'La Bruja'.
The idea of punishment for misdeeds. With El Cucuy, it's about kids being punished for being naughty. It creates a fear in children that something bad will happen if they don't follow the rules, and the unknown nature of this bogeyman - like figure makes it scarier.
One common theme is the presence of supernatural beings from Mexican folklore like La Llorona or El Chupacabra. These entities often bring fear and chaos to the lives of the characters in the stories.
One common element is the use of historical or cultural locations. For example, old haciendas or ancient ruins often serve as the backdrop for these stories. Another is the presence of a tragic figure. Like La Llorona, who had a very sad backstory. Also, many Mexican ghost stories involve the idea of revenge or unfinished business. The ghosts are often there to seek justice or make amends for something that happened to them in life.
One traditional Mexican Christmas story is about the poinsettia. Legend has it that a poor child wanted to give a gift to Jesus at Christmas but had nothing. An angel inspired the child to pick some weeds from the roadside. When the child placed them in front of the church altar, they miraculously turned into beautiful red poinsettias.