Mexico’s Indigenous communities have long practiced the tradition of honoring death as part of the cyclical nature of life and reconnecting families with deceased loved ones. Today’s Doodle celebrates a holiday handed down from the nation’s Indigenous ancestors—Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), an annual celebration of life in honor of those that have passed.
The Aztec people, who are from what is today central Mexico, are believed to be the first to celebrate the Day of the Dead by using skulls to honor their dead over 3,000 years ago. Skull symbology has remained an essential element of the day’s celebrations, often seen in the form of colorful calaveras de azúcar (sugar skulls) or paper maché calaveras (skulls) laid on altars in family homes to welcome the spirits of the departed. In today's Doodle artwork, a family member drops marigold petals for loved ones to follow home.
Although many common themes connect Mexican communities celebrating the Day of the Dead, each region across the nation observes the holiday with a unique spin, as cultural traditions continue to evolve every year.
The days are getting darker and soon it will be Samhain/Día de los Muertos/Halloween/whatever this time may signify to you.
I got the goddess statue at Joanne Crafts, the butterfly from the Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe, and the Lotería cards on amazon. I’ll hopefully be adding some family photos over the next month to prepare for the day and invite my ancestors in.
