El Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition that interweaves ancient aspects of pre-Hispanic culture with Christian beliefs to create a unique annual event of remembrance for the departed.
One unique aspect of the Mexican Day of the Dead tradition is the beautiful art that is inspired by the event. Artisans in Michoacan, Sonora and other places in Mexico create festive and ornate artistic creations of skeletal figures dancing, socializing and otherwise engaging in festive activities.
A popular Day of the Dead art symbol is the skeletal female figure known as a Calaca, or Catrina, which traces back to the Aztec “Lady of the Dead.”
Other forms of art include short poems known as Calaveras (skulls), which highlight humorous aspects of the tradition.
And every year, students and artists will create colorful and generally humorous depictions in papier mache and other media of skeletons participating in activities like drinking beer, smoking a cigarette, or relaxing in a coffin.
Day of the Dead in Sonora
Sonoran Day of the Dead Adornments
Sonoran Day of the Dead Cemetery Photos
Sonoran Day of the Dead Altars
Day of the Dead Altar Elements
Day of the Dead Spanish Vocabulary
