Oaxaca was dominated by a group of noble natives belonging to the Zapotec and Mixtec cultures. King Cosijoeza, ruler of the city of Zaachila, had a daughter to whom he gave the name of “Donají” meaning “grand soul”. The Mixtecs and Zapotecs had a series of violent disputes, causing the Mixtecs to take revenge of the King by sacrificing his daughter, the Princess Donají, she was laid to rest near theAtoyac river.

It is said that years later when her body was found, it was still in perfect condition, and from her head beautiful species of wild lilies had grown, this image was immediately converted to be the symbol of the Zapotec town.