If you ever get the chance to be in Mexico, do not forget to pay a visit to the city of Chihuahua located on its Northern side. As the largest of the 31 Mexican states, it is also home to a widespread local legend known as La Pascualita. However, those who do not know the history of La Pascualita may think that she is just a regular bridal shop mannequin who stands by the window for display purposes. But for the rest, they will avoid her like the black plague especially at night since many believe that she is indeed the embalmed corpse of the former owner's daughter.
According to the locals, the beautiful Pascuala Esparza was happily preparing for her big day when she was tragically bitten by a black widow spider and succumbed to its poison on the wedding day itself. Not long after Espaza's death, a strange-looking mannequin appeared in the shop's window, creating a local urban legend that the mannequin was not just Barbie doll plastic but the well-preserved body of the hapless bride-to-be. Since La Pascualita debuted in 1930, its haunting resemblance to the owner's dead daughter has caused quite a stir of emotions among the locals. Without a doubt, many were utterly terrified and quickly assumed La Pasqualita was haunted. For starters, the mannequin has an incredibly human-like facial expression topped with thick, voluminous eyelashes and a deep penetrating stare. But this is only the tip of the iceberg since La Pasqualita's hands were constructed very realistically and even her legs have protruding varicose veins that are only typically found in humans.
Over the years, many swore they had encountered La Pasqualita's creepy display of human-like tendencies firsthand. For example, they say that the mannequin's eyes seem to follow them wherever they go,- or find the mannequin suddenly placed in different positions when they turn their back - making others believe it is some kind of David Copperfield magic trick! Believe it or not, even the shop workers are afraid to go near La Pascualita, with one saying “Every time I go near Pascualita my hands break out in a sweat. Her hands are very realistic and she even has varicose veins on her legs. I believe she’s a real person.”
But, La Pascualita is akin to the people's legendary fictional hero Zorro. Thus, there are a few versions that surround the La Pasqualita mannequin mystery. The die-hard romantics and the fairer sex who are fans of The Princess Bride will be swept off their feet by this Coppelia-inspired magical tale. Rumor has it that a visiting French magician becomes so enthralled with the bridal mannequin that he visits her window each night and uses a powerful enchantment to awaken her so that he can dance and paint the town red along with his precious lady love before he restores her to its original mannequin form in the morning.
But one thing remains true: La Pascualita is a local legend that is a cut above the rest. Even today, nobody knows the origins or true identity of the mannequin. Even the name "Pascuala Esparza" and the background story of it has sparked a debate over its ambiguous credibility. Another obvious logic that defies all the truth claims of a mummified corpse is how can the body withstand the Mexican heat for almost a century year old? Regardless of that, the legend of an embalmed corpse disguised as a bridal mannequin has attracted not only locals but also tourists from other parts of the world as well. Even if La Pascualita is just another urban legend like the ultra-cheesy Candyman, at least the tourist factor is a good marketing gimmick for the current owner's business. especially in these tough unprecedented global economic times, don't you think so?
Reference: Link
Lim Su Yee is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.