

Yellow: Mexican marigold (a symbol of death).The different colors take on their own meaning, so here’s a simple guide: The color also has a significance of its own, and the meaning might surprise you. All of these things are a way to represent the joy of life and death.

This is an important part of understanding the story behind the skull.įamily might also decorate the skull in a way to resemble a family member, whether they draw a huge smile or crazy hair. Larger skulls symbolize adults or elders. A small skull could be a sign that the skull is in honor of an infant who passed. Similarly, different skulls tell their own story based on shape. Who doesn’t want their memory to stay alive? Skull shapes and colors The name adds to the ofrenda (or offer) to deceased loved ones. This is a way of dedicating them to their loved ones and creating a special tribute. As said before, people often write the names of dead loved ones on the forehead of the skull when they make their offering. Today, these sugar skulls have come to take on a lot of different meanings. » MORE: Honor a loved one with an online memorial. Friends and family gift sugar skulls to their loved ones during the Day of the Dead as a way to show they care. These skulls are also given to the living as a sign of thoughtfulness. They’re left on altars to ancestors as a reminder that someone is thinking of them. The sugar skulls are an offering to both the dead and the living. Just like the celebration of Dia de Los Muertos, sugar skulls are about celebration and not sorrow. A “sugar” skull implies that there’s a certain sweetness in death.ĭeath doesn’t have to be bitter and scary. While skulls might conjure an image of the grotesque, as well as fear of death, the word sugar contradicts that. The symbolism of sugar skulls is in the name itself. In a culture where the Land of the Dead isn’t seen as so far away, this type of skull imagery is only natural. Only by accepting death and celebrating those who have passed can we become closer to life. Since ancient times, Mexican people saw skulls as an important symbol of life. While it might seem morbid to an outsider, skulls are no stranger to Mexico. It’s common for people to paint their faces to look like colorful skulls, and it’s also a common symbol for the country of Mexico during this time of year. The same is true during the Day of the Dead celebration in Mexico, and you’ll spot skull imagery around every corner. If you’ve ever been to a Mexican funeral, you know they’re lively affairs. While it’s a clear symbol of death, it’s also a symbol of life. They recognize the person who has passed, and the individual’s name is written on the forehead of the skull. People offer sugar skulls on graves and family altars during the Day of the Dead. According to superstition, souls of deceased loved ones roam the earth, and these skulls are a reminder of that.

This is a time of year when the lines between the land of the living and the land of the dead blur. People join together to eat, drink, tell stories, and celebrate the circle of life. Families flock to gravesites, offering gifts and food for their ancestors. This holiday follows All Saints’ Day, and it’s a way for people to honor their dead. These skulls play a large role in the Day of the Dead. Today sugar skulls are often made of a variety of things like chocolate, nuts, and other treats. These are called sugar skulls since they’re traditionally made of sugar. What Is a Sugar Skull (Calavera)?Ī sugar skull is a type of Calavera or representation of a human skull. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at sugar skulls and what they represent. Believe it or not, in some cultures, these sugar skulls have a language of their own, each one meaning something different. How can a sugar skull be used to remember a family member and honor the dead? These skulls have come a long way since their first use, and now they’re symbols for a variety of different things.

This is a festival that’s all about celebrating death and remembering one’s family members. On Day of the Dead each year, people place sugar skulls on graves and altars in honor of their deceased loved ones. These colorful skulls are symbols of the Day of the Dead or Dia de Los Muertos in Mexico, and they’ve spread across the globe. You’ve likely spotted sugar skulls in popular media, design, and fashion.
