Like many cultures, Mexico holds many special customs and beliefs that are preserved celebrated for hundreds of years. Among these traditions is an important holiday called Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Taking place from October 31st through November 2nd, Día de los Muertos is celebrated to honor the loved ones who have passed away. The holiday’s history dates back to the sixteenth century, when Spaniards came to the region of modern-day Mexico. It combines elements of the Aztec beliefs and ceremonies regarding death with Catholic influences. During these days, people create altars, cook food, and make decorations in preparation for the celebration. Rather than a time of grief, however, Día de los Muertos is lively and acknowledges that death is merely just a part of the overall life cycle. …show more content…
Calavera, or skull, representations originated with the development of the Day of the Dead holiday. Calaveras symbolize death in a playful or humorous manner, sometimes “mocking” death in works of art or writing. Essentially, however, calaveras are significant because they remind us that both life and death are natural and sacred, and that death is not something to be feared, but rather something that should be acknowledged and accepted by the living. I chose to do the calavera masks because of the artistic expression and the way the masks portray a sense of joy instead of the melancholy or regret normally associated with our perceptions of