Alicante

What it is

The alicante is a mythical creature described as a snake native to Mexico. It lacks teeth and is sometimes depicted with four noses, a feature that gives it the alternative name cuatro narices. This being is known for its ability to sneak up on sleeping mothers and drain their breast milk, ensuring none remains for the infant. If the mother is awake, the snake uses hypnosis to put her to sleep before feeding.

Where it comes from

The myth shares significant similarities with medieval European snake legends. In those older tales, the snakes preferred wine but would drink milk if alcohol was unavailable. The core mechanics of the myth remain identical across both traditions: the use of the tail to pacify the baby and the reliance on hypnotic powers to subdue the adult victim.

How it is done

Practitioners of this belief describe the alicante's method as stealthy and predatory. The snake approaches a sleeping mother and attaches itself to her breast. To keep the infant quiet, it places its tail in the baby's mouth. This action can cause sores or lead to suffocation. When caught, the creature spins rapidly by putting its tail in its mouth to escape.

Tools and materials

The primary tool of the alicante is its tail, which serves as a pacifier for the infant. The creature also relies on its hypnotic gaze or presence to induce sleep in both humans and animals. It feeds on cow milk as well as human breast milk, using these substances to sustain itself while avoiding detection.

What it is for

The alicante is feared for its harm to infants and mothers. It is believed to steal nourishment meant for the baby, leaving the child hungry and vulnerable. The creature's actions are seen as malicious, causing physical injury through sores or death by suffocation. Mothers are warned to stay alert to prevent this theft.

Who does it

Scholars note that this legend is part of the broader folk tradition among Mexican women. Reports of encounters are often relayed by family members, such as the account from Chelo C. regarding her aunt's death in 1934. These stories serve as cautionary tales within the community rather than rituals performed by specific practitioners.

Peoples and places

The alicante is a figure in Latin American Spanish folklore, specifically within Mexican culture. It reflects shared narrative elements with European myths, suggesting a common origin or parallel development in how societies explain infant mortality and milk theft. The legend persists in oral histories and academic studies of women's fears.

What people believe

The worldview behind the alicante involves supernatural creatures that interact directly with domestic life. It posits that snakes possess magical abilities like hypnosis and shape-shifting (the four noses). The myth explains natural tragedies, such as sudden infant death or maternal exhaustion, through the lens of a malevolent spirit attacking the home.

When it is done

There are no specific festivals or calendar days associated with the alicante. Encounters are described as happening during daily life, particularly when mothers take naps under trees or in their homes. The threat is constant and unrelated to seasonal changes or religious holidays.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Anthropologists study the alicante as a reflection of maternal anxiety and cultural fears about infant care. Research highlights how such myths provide explanations for unexplained deaths or health issues in pre-modern settings. The connection to European legends suggests transatlantic transmission of folklore motifs.

Compare and confuse

The alicante is closely related to the European hoop snake legend. Both involve snakes that use their tails to pacify victims and rely on hypnotic powers. The main difference lies in the diet: European versions prefer wine, while the Mexican variant focuses exclusively on milk. Both share the motif of the tail-in-mouth escape.

Questions people ask about Alicante

Good reading and sources

• Alicante (mythology) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data