Dia de los Muertos

Day of the Dead

       Dia de los Muertos is a holiday celebrated in Mexico honoring loved ones that have passed away. November 1st is known as All Saints Day and celebrates the angelitos (spirits of dead children). During this day children are welcomed into the home and left gifts. November 2nd is known as All Souls Day, it is the day that all adults are welcomed back to land of the living and into their homes. Altars are made with flowers and all of the loved ones favorite items and foods so that the souls are drawn to it.

Cemetery During Dia De Los Muertos

       People participating in the festival wear shells or noisemakers because the dead are part of the community but invisible to the living, therefore noisemakers wake the dead from their slumber and keep them close during all the festivities. People also paint their faces to symbolize that they except death as a part of life and that they believe it is a beautiful thing.

       I have celebrated Dia de los Muertos with my family as a part of our Latin Culture. it is very meaningful to us because we feel it is important to celebrate our passed loved ones and invite them back to the land of the living during Dia de los Muertos. We attend festivals and make our loved ones favorite foods during this time.

Sugar Skull Design

       My ideas for this design was the purpose of Dia de los Muertos, to honor the dead. The dead are basically treated like royalty and are honored, hence the reason for the crown. I also used the very traditional idea and look of a sugar skull which are often used to decorate the gravestones of the deceased.

       I created this piece in respect to Dia de los Muertos. It means a lot to me because its a representation of my Latin Culture. My inspiration was from years of going to festivals and seeing all of the beautiful creations they hold there. My work is a reflection of not only my style but also my beliefs and ideas of Dia de los Muertos. My goals for the future are to continue celebrating my beliefs and hopefully make more art for the festivities.