Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Mexico Mexico City Fuente de los Coyotes

Fuente de los Coyotes

In Coyoacán, a pair of coyotes crown a public fountain in reference to the ancient Aztec name of the borough.

Mexico City, Mexico

Added By
Mictlān Tēcutli
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The coyote fountain of Coyoacán.   Cvmontuy/cc by-sa 4.0
The coyotes.   Alejandro Linares Garcia/cc by-sa 4.0
The coyote fountain.   Octavio Alonso Maya/cc by-sa 3.0
Image of the Aztec god Huehuecoyotl in the Codex Borgia.   public domain
An ancient ceremonial Aztec shield decorated with feathers and portraying a coyote.   Adrian Hernandez/cc by-sa 4.0
A wild coyote in northern Mexico.   Brujogomez/cc by 3.0
  Melody Jean Moulton / Atlas Obscura User
  WhiskeyBristles / Atlas Obscura User
  nanpalmero / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

In the center of the lovely Parque Centenario in the Coyoacán borough of Mexico City stands a bronze statue fountain portraying a pair of beautiful coyotes surrounded by jets of water. Created in 1967, this public artwork makes reference to the etymology of the borough's name, which translates as "place of the abundant coyotes" in the language of the Aztecs.

Historians have suggested that coyotes were once a common sight in this part of the Mexican valley. During the reign of the Aztec empire, what is now buildings and roads would have been covered in pine forest and scrubland where coyotes and other animals dwelt. What's more, the coyote was an animal with much significance in the Aztec cosmovision.

One of the most ancient Aztec deities is Huehuecoyotl, which translates as "Old Coyote." He was seen as a wise yet hedonistic and mischevious trickster god with dualistic qualities. The coyote god was often associated with indulgent behavior, partying, storytelling, and male sexual prowess, and Aztec mythology had many folktales regarding the many beautiful goddesses he seduced. Such stories invariably feature Huehuecoyotl as a comical figure who either outwits through his cunning the angry gods that he has cuckolded or else is viciously punished by them for his mischief. 

Huehuecoyotl's mischief was not just limited to the supernatural sphere of the gods; he was often believed to shapeshift into human form and roam the land causing wars and conflict between people for amusement and to alleviate his world-weary boredom. As such, the coyote god would often be blamed in times of strife and conflict. But true to his dualistic nature, Huehuecoyotl was also a god with positive qualities, and people would pray to him when they believed they had been cursed by other deities, hoping that the sly Huehuecoyotl might be convinced to trick his fellow gods into reversing a person's fate. 

The Spanish conquest of Mexico did not entirely eradicate such beliefs, and in certain regions of the country, the coyote is still an animal imbued with a supernatural significance and associated with black magic. In many rural and indigenous communities, fears persist regarding the existence of a type of shaman known as a "Nagual" that through his or her witchcraft can shapeshift into a coyote at will to cause mischief and misfortune. 

However, despite its enduring name and significance, the coyote itself is no longer found in Coyoacán, and indeed is rarely seen in urban Mexico City except in zoos. They are not quite extirpated though, and this wily animal may still be found in low numbers in the ever-diminishing forested areas of the city, such as Desierto de los Leones and Ajusco national parks.

Related Tags

Animals Gods Fountains Public Art Sculptures Parks Names Language Statues

Know Before You Go

The coyote fountain is located in the center of the borough in the Jardín Centenario (Centennial Park), directly opposite the cathedral of Parroquia de San Juan Bautista.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Oaxaca: Markets, Mezcal & Home-Cooked Meals

A Culinary and Cultural Journey Through Oaxaca.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Monsieur Mictlan

Edited By

WhiskeyBristles, nanpalmero, Melody Jean Moulton

  • WhiskeyBristles
  • nanpalmero
  • Melody Jean Moulton

Published

January 18, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Fuente de los Coyotes
Parque Centenario
Coyoacán
Mexico City
Mexico
19.349159, -99.16348
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Ceiling of the Cloister of San Juan

Mexico City, Mexico

miles away

Coyoacán Bazaar Toy Cemetery

Mexico City, Mexico

miles away

Elena Garro Cultural Center

Mexico City, Mexico

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Mexico City

Mexico City

Mexico

Places 180
Stories 17

Nearby Places

Ceiling of the Cloister of San Juan

Mexico City, Mexico

miles away

Coyoacán Bazaar Toy Cemetery

Mexico City, Mexico

miles away

Elena Garro Cultural Center

Mexico City, Mexico

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Mexico City

Mexico City

Mexico

Places 180
Stories 17

Related Places

  • London Road badger.

    Edinburgh, Scotland

    Wooden Animal Sculptures

    Another entry into the world of Edinburgh's pop-up artworks.

  • Salzburg, Austria

    'Gurken'

    Amidst medieval and baroque buildings, five human-sized gherkins stand tall.

  • An angry-looking cat on the side of the canal.

    Suzhou, China

    The Seven Cats of Shantang Street

    Thanks to a bit of wordplay, seven auspicious stone cats guard this ancient canalside street.

  • The fountain.

    Fontainebleau, France

    Fontaine de Diane (Fountain of Diana)

    Peeing dogs guard the Roman hunting goddess atop a fountain at France’s Château de Fontainebleau.

  • The Komodo dragon statue.

    Tallahassee, Florida

    McCord Park's Komodo Dragon

    Though it's unclear why it's there, the lifelike sculpture of the giant lizard is oddly charming.

  • The Lemmings statue in Dundee.

    Dundee, Scotland

    Lemmings Statue

    A bronze tribute to the wildly popular video game from the '90s.

  • Kincho Raccoon Statue in Komatsushima Station Park

    Komatsushima-shi, Japan

    Kincho Raccoon Dog Statue

    A statue of a mischievous raccoon towers over this city park.

  • Jumbo the Elephant statue, St. Thomas, Ontario

    Saint Thomas, Ontario

    Jumbo the Elephant

    The statue of the famous elephant who was the original source of the word "jumbo".

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.