Mayáhuel is the symbol of ground fecundity. When she was transformed into maguey, she gave the men (Mexicas) the necessary gifts to survive. She's also the mother of 400 rabbits, Centzon Totochtin, the four hundred innumerable Gods of drinking. The Goddess had four hundred breasts to feed her children. The word Mayáhuel may have come from Mayahual, which is the center of the maguey rounded by the pulpy leaves, and it refers to all the arms that bloom for the same people.

The legend says that a storm fell on a field of agaves, and several lightning bolts hit the hearts of the plants thus cooking them; this caused the starches to cook, and they became some kind of honey or juice. The natives noticed this phenomenon and after tasting the juices, they considered it a divine gift from Mayáhuel. From then on they made offerings to it, and it was used in their ceremonial rites.