Although frequently called Mexico's Halloween, it has little in common with our celebration of ghouls and goblins which underscores our cultural fear of death. Rather, Dia de los Muertos, invests the participant in the fact that death is a constant companion from birth, an accepted friend to be joked and played with, perhaps because of the ironic foreknowledge of the fatal reality.

The celebration, which varies regionally, generally consists of several weeks of preparation; parties, processions, special meals and masked dances during which death and loved ones who have gone with him are remembered and invited to return. Altars or ofrendas adorned with marigolds, candles, favorite foods and drink, toys and other enticements are set up in homes and cemeteries to lure the departed back to Earth for a short visit and fiesta. Culminating in all night vigils at graveside, a solemn gaiety pervades as the spirits mark their return and Mexicans once again acknowledge life's final party to which everyone gets an invitation.

Much of the popular art of the season derives its origins as offerings and enticements placed on the altars and graves. Sugar skulls and other dead toys are the gentle teachers of children in the lessons of death's acceptable inevitability. However, many works, not incorporated into ofrendas are inspired reminders, in the early 20th century tradition of Jose Guadalupe Posada, of death's human face. His lithographs helped to secularize the holiday and its art, satirizing death as the ultimate common denominator and putting it on the plane of daily existence, a tradition carried on by modern day folk artists.

Embrace the rich traditions of our Mexican neighbors and enjoy your date with destiny through our collection of Day of the Dead folk art.

Mexican Day of the Dead Skeletons and Decorations