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Dia De Los Muertos |
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 Dia
De Los MuertosA Mexican Memorial Celebration The festival of the "Dia de los Muertos", or Day of the Dead, is one with very ancient roots in Mexico. During the pre-Hispanic era, there were very elaborate rituals and philosophies concerning the life-death cycle, nowhere more so than amongst the Mexican peoples of the Oaxaca area. For them, life was no more than a passing moment, a dream from which one would wake up again amongst the dead. There were 9 levels in the afterlife, and the manner of one's death determined one's place in these levels. For example: warriors killed in combat, sacrificial victims, and women who died during childbirth would become companions of the Sun - while those who drowned would join Tlaloc, the Rain God. The dead were buried with the artifacts of daily life, and offerings of food and drink. In the early 1900's, the famous printmaker, Jose Guadalupe Posada popularized the figure of death in the world of art. As part of his series of satirical reviews he named "Calaveras", or "Skulls", he used humorous images of contemporary figures depicted as skeletons. His "Catrina" (shown top left) depicted a woman in an ornate hat fashionable at the time that was intended to show that the rich and fashionable, despite their pretensions to importance, are just as susceptible to death as anyone else. |
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Octavio Paz says, "The word death is not pronounced in New York, Paris, or in London, because it burns the lips. The Mexican, in contrast, is familiar with death, jokes about it, caresses it, sleeps with it, celebrates it; it is one of his favorite toys and his most steadfast love. True, there is perhaps much fear in his attitude as that of theirs, but at least death is not hidden away: he looks at it face to face, with impatience, disdain, or irony." (The Labyrinth of Solitude) Today, the "Dias de los Muertos" is celebrated each year on November 1st & 2nd. On these days, it is believed that the dead come from the beyond to visit with the living. Special foods are prepared, breads are baked, and flowers of the season are collected. In some areas, the villagers prepare tables laden with food and drink for the spirits of the dead, and the flowers are used to decorate arches and walkways. Wax candles are prepared and lit. Processions are made to the cemeteries, where family graves are cleaned up, prayers are offered, and a feast is held. The souls of the dead are said to return from the afterlife, to visit the living, where they consume the food from the offering tables. The first day of the festival is for the spirit of infants, and the second day is for the adult spirits. The living receive the dead with merriment, music, and all the things that the dead liked while living. After the 2nd of November, friends and relatives are invited for the "raising of the dead", where the offerings are consumed. Small children fill up baskets with food and drink, cover it with a freshly pressed napkin, and take them to their godparents. In many ways, "Dia de los Muertos" is like an American Memorial Day. The elements of fear and dread were traditionally not to be part of one's view of death - Celebrating the Day of the Dead is done in anticipation of the end of life for those that believe that the soul remains alive forever. |
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Day of the Dead Black Pottery Skulls
from Oaxaca (Designs and facial features vary) Tiny 1.75"H $5.00 Small 3.5"H $9.55 Medium 3.75"H $14.50 Large 5.5"H $19.50 |
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Day of the Dead Pottery Skeleton
Earrings $19.95 |
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Day of the Dead Pottery Skull Necklace $19.95 |
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Painted Tin Catrina Mirrors Can be hung on the wall or stood up on a table. 13"H x 6"W $32.00 |
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Tin Day-of-the-Dead Dancing Couple Each figure approx. 17"H x 9"W $38.50 a couple |
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Day of the Dead Hanging Tin Skeleton Available in silver, fuchsia and blue approx. 14"H $18.00 - $21.00 |
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Day of the Dead Papel Picado $7.50/medium strand, 18 feet long $8.50/large strand, 17 feet long |
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Butterfly Day of the Dead Mother & Baby
by Guillermina Aguilar & Family Approx. 5.5" H x 7" W $28.00 each Click Here to see more Day of the Dead Folk Art by Guillermina Aguilar |
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Alpaca Silver Catrina Earrings $29.00 |
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Alpaca Silver Day of the Dead Skull Earrings $24.00 |
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The Skeleton Bride - by Concepción and
Estela Aguilar 10"H x 5.5"D x 4"W $60.00 Click Here to see more Day of the Dead Folk Art by Concepcion Aguilar |
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Tiny Glitter Devils These wonderful little devils are great! Tie them to gift bags, add to earring hooks, attach to necklaces, and more! 2"H $5.75 each |
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Painted Tin Day of the Dead Catrinas
and Catrins 7"H x 5"W $14.50 each |
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Day of the Dead Tin Swag 9"H x 19"W $22.00 |
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Day of the Dead Paper Mache Skeleton 9"H $12.95 |
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Wooden Day of the Dead Skeleton Movable Limbs! $42.00 |
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Gorky Gonzalez 12" Catrina Plates Designed to be used or decoratively hung on the wall $84.00 |
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Day of the Dead Catrina by Enedina
Vasquez 6.5"H $84.00 each |
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Day of the Dead Pottery Figures approx. 7"H $9.00 to $12.00 |
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"Mesa de Esqueletos" by Innocencio
Vasquez Wooden skeletons with movable parts; approx. 6"H sitting $225.00 set |
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Day of the Dead Skeleton by Demetrio
Aguilar 5"H $76.00 Click Here to see more Day of the Dead Folk Art by Demetrio Aguilar |
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Day of the Dead Paper Mache Mask $8.50 |
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Day of the Dead Small Spring Devil 4" $4.75 |
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Day of the Dead Wooden Skeleton
Musicians approx. 10"H - Standing approx. 5.5"H - Sitting $19.50 each |
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