Turns out, I didn't miss Dia de Muertos after spending Halloween in Houston! Yep. The day after I returned was Nov 2, and this lovely chocolate skull was waiting for me in the clinic. The celebration of Dia de Muertos dates back to the Aztec, although the customs have changed considerably.
Probably the most popular image of the day is the Catrina skeleton, created by artist José Guadalupe Posada. He created her as a metaphoric representation of the upper class - kind of making fun of them. Although many enjoy a sense of "entitlement," they - like the lower class - cannot escape death.
She is so popular, in fact, that in one city they painted this street in her image.
You usually start seeing pan de muerte in October. It is decorated on top with two crossbones (los huesitos de la muerte or bones of death.) Mexicans think it's "riquisimo," however, I haven't developed a taste for it.
These paper cut-outs are ubiquitous during Dia de Muerte.
and people make altars to their deceased loved ones - decorating them with flowers, their favorite food, and remembrances. It is a day where they forget the abyss that separates the dead from the living. They also decorate the graves with the same purple and orange flowers (la flor del zempazúchitl) and treats. According to custom, the deceased return to their gravesite (or altar) that day. It is important to have plenty of their favorite beverage ready (usually beer) to quench their thirst after the long journey.
Pretty cool tradition!
Probably the most popular image of the day is the Catrina skeleton, created by artist José Guadalupe Posada. He created her as a metaphoric representation of the upper class - kind of making fun of them. Although many enjoy a sense of "entitlement," they - like the lower class - cannot escape death. 
She is so popular, in fact, that in one city they painted this street in her image.
These paper cut-outs are ubiquitous during Dia de Muerte.
and people make altars to their deceased loved ones - decorating them with flowers, their favorite food, and remembrances. It is a day where they forget the abyss that separates the dead from the living. They also decorate the graves with the same purple and orange flowers (la flor del zempazúchitl) and treats. According to custom, the deceased return to their gravesite (or altar) that day. It is important to have plenty of their favorite beverage ready (usually beer) to quench their thirst after the long journey.
Pretty cool tradition! 
3 comments:
That was interesting. In the States most people are pretty creeped out by death stuff like that and would be spooked to find a chocolate skull on their desk. We'd probably think it was a death threat or something.
Yes, they take a more positive perspective here.
I miss day of the dead in San Antonio. It wasn't as cool as it was in mexico, but they still had paper cutouts and pan de muerto. I agree that pan de muerto isn't that great.
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