The Legend of the Kiss
To speak of Aguascalientes is also to speak of its legends, and none is as emblematic asthe Legend of the Kiss, also known as "Freedom for a Kiss." Tradition has it that a kiss changed the fate of our land and marked the beginning of Aguascalientes' separation from Zacatecas.
On May 1, 1835, President Antonio López de Santa Anna arrived in the city accompanied by three thousand soldiers on their way to Zacatecas to quell a rebellion. The inhabitants received him with great enthusiasm: the streets were decorated with flowers and papel de china, and that night he was hosted at the home of Don Pedro García Rojas and his wife, Doña María Luisa Fernández Villa.
During dinner, while the president recounted his military campaigns, Doña María Luisa steered the conversation toward the situation Aguascalientes was facing. She spoke of the lack of schools, the relocation of the tobacco factory to Zacatecas, which left numerous families without work, and the neglect suffered by the population, which was remembered only when it was time to collect taxes.
When Don Pedro stepped out for a few moments to attend to an urgent matter, Doña María Luisa took the opportunity to say:
—"Aguascalientes can be independent. All it takes is for you to want it, my general; we all long for it in this town and would go as far as making the ultimate sacrifice to achieve it."
Moved by her words, Santa Anna took her hand and asked:
—"Really, even to the point of sacrifice?"
—"Even to the point of sacrifice, General!" she replied firmly.
Tradition has it that the president sealed his promise with a long and passionate kiss. Just then, Don Pedro returned, and Doña María Luisa exclaimed with a smile:
—"Perico, at last Aguascalientes is independent! Isn't that right, my general?"
Santa Anna nodded and replied:
—"It is true."
According to legend, the following day Santa Anna appointed Don Pedro García Rojas as the local authority and, weeks later, on May 23, 1835, a decree was issued confirming the separation of Aguascalientes.
Beyond its historical veracity, this story is part of the cultural heritage of Aguascalientes. Its legacy can be seen in the State Coat of Arms, where red lips beneath a broken chain symbolize the famous kiss and the freedom that was achieved. It is also present in the murals of the government palaces of Aguascalientes and Zacatecas: in the former, Santa Anna presents Doña María Luisa with a dove bearing the inscription "Freedom for Aguascalientes"; in the latter, lips painted over the map of the state recall this beloved legend.
Today, the Legend of the Kiss continues to captivate visitors and locals alike, becoming a symbol of the identity of Aguascalientes and one of the essential stories for discovering the city's most traditional and romantic side.
If you would like to learn more about the history of Aguascalientes, visit our Tourist Information Center or check out the "Orgullo Hidrocálido" website to find out more.
