La Malinche, also known as Doña Marina, was sold into slavery at the tender age of 12. She became Hernán Cortés’s trusted interpreter, advisor, and later the mother of his son, Martín, one of the first mestizo children in Mexico’s history. Her fluency in Náhuatl, Maya, and Spanish made her instrumental in facilitating communication between the Spaniards and Indigenous leaders, including Moctezuma, the last Mexica emperor.
She aided the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire by helping Cortés negotiate alliances with Indigenous groups opposed to the Mexica. To some, she represents betrayal of her people; to others, she is a survivor who adapted and endured amid the chaos of colonization.
Our Catrina pays homage to this controversial and complex woman—holding the banner Cortés used in 1521 to declare New Spain, wearing a replica of Moctezuma’s headpiece displayed in the Museum of Vienna, and crowned with an artist-inspired interpretation of the regal crown seen in historical illustrations.
CREDITS
Concept and Design by @iLaCatrina
Executive Producer & Edition @aramintarom
Film & Content Producer @lotusocialmedia
Professional Photography by @doc.shots_