ipl-logo

Sugar Skull Symbolism

985 Words4 Pages

To many people skulls represent death and negativity however, for Mexicans that celebrate Day of the Dead sugar skulls represent death in a positive manner. In Mexico it is believed that death is not the final stage in life but rather a step forward onto a higher level of consciousness. This is similar to the beliefs of the Aztecs. The Aztec skulls were a positive symbol, not only of death but also of rebirth. The symbolism of sugar skulls is rooted in the decoration around the eyes. Life is symbolized by flowers, while death is symbolized by cob webs. Burning candles are also set inside the eyes as a sign of remembrance. Mexican-American history is hard to track back. As a result, it is unclear as to when or how sugar skulls in Western culture. It is believed that the two cultures first started merging after the Spanish conquest in the sixteenth century (tattoo.about.com). “After the immigration of around 200,000 Spaniards, sugar plantations became one of South America's largest economic resources” tattoo.about.com). Eventually, “the making of sugar skulls was introduced to the indigenous people who still remained, not having fallen victim to disease or genocidal slaughter brought on by the Spanish settlers and their armies”(sugarskullcreations.com/history/). Now in modern day, the sugar skulls are used to celebrate and represent the celebration of life and death as part of the modern-day festivities. The name “sugar …show more content…

The importance behind sugar skulls needs to be viewed through an equity lens. Sugar skulls are being appropriated by Western culture resulting in an insult to the Mexican Day of the Dead and the history behind it. Using the tradition of sugar skulls for fashion without knowing the history, and being naïve to the significance sugar skulls have during Day of the Dead should not happen as this issue of cultural appropriation needs to be seen through an equitable

Show More
Related
1347 Words | 6 Pages

In Chapter 5 of Day in the Dead in the USA: The Migration and Transformation of a Cultural Phenomenon, Regina Marchi discusses the political themes surrounding various Day of the Dead celebrations in America. She claims that Day of the Dead events offer opportunities for Latinos to voice their opinions about current issues, giving them a sense of cultural independence. Furthermore, Marchi argues that the practices and rituals of these Latinos living in the U.S. during the Day of the Dead holiday brings them closer together in the midst of political adversity (Marchi, 73). Throughout this chapter, Marchi talks about different Day of the Dead events that have occurred in the U.S. within the last century and how their presence has shone light

Read More
347 Words | 2 Pages

Dia de los Muertos can be associated with Christianity, because it was introduced by the Roman Catholic Church. Dia de los Muertos and Halloween can both be represented with images of skeletons or pumpkins, they are both a way to unite people together, they both involve festive food and decorations, and they are both a legitimate excuse to dress up for either a parade, a party, or trick or treating. One fascinating thing that is believed to happen on Dia de los Muertos is the portal opening from earth to the afterlife in order for family members to be reconciled with late relatives. Most people don’t know that turnips were carved into faces, but the jack o’ lanterns have evolved over hundreds of years and are now carved in pumpkins. Overall, while Dia de los Muertos and Halloween have many similarities they are both very different ways to celebrate the

Read More
1370 Words | 6 Pages

Throughout history, various ancient civilizations all over the globe have created traditions and customs that have been passed down through generation to generation. The idea of having these customs withstand the test of time is truly remarkable. A perfect example of the passing of tradition is the Mexican celebration of El Dia De Los Muertos. El Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a holiday that honors and celebrates loved ones of family who have passed away. Although it has its origins from the Aztec Empire, the holiday is widely celebrated in Latin America and even some parts of the United States.

Read More
662 Words | 3 Pages

La Llorona Ever wonder what it 's like at night in Mexico, what people see, what people hear, what happens in the dark? Many have and many find out the hard way. Whether that be misbehaving with their elders or just simply wondering out in the dark alone, not caring what happens. Always be on the lookout, always, because shadows are lurking, and waiting. This tale was created in Mexico, said to scare children and others say it 's true, and waiting to come and get us.

Read More
1076 Words | 5 Pages

The sweet granular substance proved a sensation among its elite customers, and demand skyrocketed. Cultivation and processing of sugar quickly spread throughout the Antilles and the Brazilian littoral as well as to Mexico, Paraguay, and South America’s Pacific

Read More
829 Words | 4 Pages

In the article “The Virgin of Guadalupe: A Mexican National Symbol” by Eric R. Wolf, the facts are given about the history of the symbol as well as the importance that it plays in the lives of the people of Mexico. This Wolf applies the agnostic approach in his article by the language that he uses. He does not attempt to persuade or dissuade from believing in the Virgin of Guadalupe. Wolf starts out by explaining that the terms he uses do no represent the Mexican people as a whole, “In this paper, I should like to discuss this [Virgin of Guadalupe] Mexican master symbol, and the ideology which surrounds it. In making use of the term ‘master symbol,’ I do not wish to imply that belief in the symbol is common to all Mexicans” (Wolf 2).

Read More
301 Words | 2 Pages

This is one of the civilizations that flourished form the ninth to thirteenth century A.D, and is now home to enormous archeological sites. Among the sites, there is evidence of remains of skulls racks, which once displayed the multiple rows of stone-craved skulls of sacrificial victims (Brandes 1998, 190). However, during the Spanish Conquest, much of the design was removed and completely destroyed by the beginning of the Sixteenth century (Shcmal 2010). During the time of the Spanish Conquest, the Aztec and the Zapotec were the leading power holders of the region of southern Mexico. Because of this, it only makes sense that their usage of elaborate representations of death was then carried over into the artwork of colonial Mexico, becoming, then, associated with Dia de Los Muertos (Brandes 2003,

Read More
828 Words | 4 Pages

The Virgin of Guadalupe is a worldly known work of art; Jeanette Favrot Peterson questions the meaning of this iconic symbol in her article The Virgin of Guadalupe: Symbol of Conquest or Liberation? Peterson argues that this symbol is not only of religious connotation but of political value to freedom as well. Furthermore, paraphrasing her claims, that it was not until the nineteenth and twentieth century’s did the image reach its fullest potential of bringing together a fragmented people and become known as the “Mother of Mexicans.” The legend says that Juan Diego was visited by the Virgin on the hill of Tepeyacac and that she sent a message with him that she wanted a church built in her name, only after the third visit was he able to convince

Read More
1211 Words | 5 Pages

As a child, Jeannette Walls moves around constantly with her family. The Walls family would move to different desert towns and settle as long as Mr. Walls can hold a job. When sober, Mr. Walls represents a charismatic father who loves his children and teaches them important life skills. He encourages imagination inside of the Walls kids and often captures their dream and creativity. Together, the family had planned to build a glass castle that contains all of the family’s hope and inspiration.

Read More
623 Words | 3 Pages

On Day of the Dead, people go to markets to buy certain foods and items, some include las flores (flowers), El Mole (spicy chocolate), and El pan de Muerto (bread of the dead). People buy theses items because Day of the Dead is a very important holiday in Mexico and it usually takes 2 months salary to buy all of these things, it’s crazy. Along with people making altars, they must also prepare favorite foods of that loved one and also prepare themselves for the huge parties that they have on this special day. Halloween however, is prepared for by people going out and buying house items for the interior and exterior of the house. Parents also buy their kids costumes for this holiday to go out on halloween night and get candy.

Read More
995 Words | 4 Pages

Without a proper understanding of their culture, folk groups, and their respective stories, these figures become caricatures of themselves, further distancing them from the communities that created them in the first place. For example, in the film The Curse of La Llorona, 2019, the film is composed of a Latinx cast yet the main character, and the basis of the story, revolves around a white woman. La Llorona becomes a “malevolent force” who drowns children, not a grief-stricken ghost who cries out in the night for the loss of her children (Winick “La Llorona: Roots…”). A large majority of creators who use these characters irresponsibly use the fact that these oral traditions aren’t under copyright and thus can ignore and not recognize the original myth or people, financially and creatively. It’s important that these figures are respectfully adapted, consulting the groups the legend comes from, rather than pushing them aside for

Read More
1134 Words | 5 Pages

Nowadays, many people wear items of clothing decorated with sugar skulls or skeleton prints, such as shirts, dresses, or leggings on Día de los Muertos. You can also wear shells and dance so that the noisiness "wakes up" the dead or even dress up as the deceased. •Some women also dress as Calavera Catrina in long, flowing, brightly-colored lace dresses paired with flower crowns and sugar skull makeup. •Sometimes, children dress in costume and ask people on the street for a calaverita (a small gift of money). Unlike Halloween, though, they don't knock on doors.

Read More
874 Words | 4 Pages

Topic Disclosure Today I will be talking about legends in Mexico, and what they tell us about Mexican culture itself and the tradition as well as the importance behind them. Audience Link Some people Don’t see much importance of being informed about these legends, because many will see them as a made up fantasy in ones head. Nevertheless you may never know for sure when you might come across with something similar to it. Preview During this speech I am going to share with you; what legends are along with a commonly told legend that has survived many decades.

Read More
497 Words | 2 Pages

In America, death is seen as the final experience on earth, and a grave experience for all individuals involved. In Mexico, death is considered a natural rite of passage and a new aspect of reality. October 31, Halloween in America and The Day of the Dead in Mexico, is celebrated in both cultures. The difference is in the fact that Americans still refuse to recognize the reality of death during the celebration while Mexicans embrace dead loved ones while they celebrate. Although these differences are profound, both are rooted in history, tradition, and

Read More
994 Words | 4 Pages

That day we eat tamales and atole. It is a Good time with the family. In November 30 or around December 5 we do some thing that it is call Rasca de reyes. It is a bread that Have a little baby Jesus hidden in the bread represents the flight of the Holy Family,fleeing from King Herod. In my culture , if a person get one they are reponsibility of hosting a dinner and providing tamales and atole to the guests.

Read More

More about Sugar Skull Symbolism

Related Topics

Open Document