Celebrations are steeped in the belief that during this time, the spirits of the deceased return to the world of the living, offering a unique opportunity to reconnect with those who have passed away. Central to these festivities are skeletons, which serve as powerful symbols of life’s cyclical nature. Just as seeds are buried only to later flourish, the departed fade away but return annually, reminiscent of a bountiful harvest.

With origins tracing back to the Aztec civilization in what is now Central Mexico, Dia de los Muertos is a testament to the enduring cultural heritage that celebrates life and death in a beautifully interconnected dance.

Skeletons are central to the celebrations, symbolizing a return of the bones to the living world. Like seeds planted in soil, the dead disappear temporarily, only to return each year like the annual harvest.

Dia de los Muertos dates back to the Aztec people in what is now Central Mexico, according to History.com. 

The Aztecs would use skulls to honor the dead for centuries. 

When the Spanish conquered the Aztec empire, they moved the indigenous traditions honoring the dead to align with Catholic dates, such as All Saints Day and All Souls Day on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. 

The holiday has evolved, with Nov. 1 now celebrating the souls of deceased children or Dia de los Angelitos, and Nov. 2 honoring Dia de los Muertos. 

Day of the Dead is traditionally an intimate family affair, observed with home altars — ofrendas — and visits to the cemetery to decorate graves with flowers and sugar skulls. They bring their deceased loved ones’ favorite foods and hire musicians to perform their favorite songs.

Families place photographs of their ancestors on their ofrendas, which include paper decorations and candles, and are adorned with offerings of items beloved by their loved ones, such as cigars, a bottle of mezcal, or a plate of mole, tortillas and chocolates.

Sugar skulls are also common during Día de los Muertos festivities. The calaveritas are made of mostly sugar, chocolate or amaranth, though they vary by state in Mexico. 

The sugar skulls also date back to the Aztecs, who made amaranth figures mixed with honey as offerings to their gods. The Spaniards then introduced sugar to the area, bringing a new technique to mold figures. 

Other foods include “pan de muerto” or “bread of the dead.” The bread is shaped like a bun and decorated with sugar on top. 

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