You see sugar skulls trending on the reg, whether it be a Halloween costume, a cute tee, or a trinket. But where exactly did they become so popular? Sugar Skulls are actually a crucial part of celebrating Day of the Dead.
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a holiday celebrated throughout Mexico beginning on Halloween and ending on November 2nd. Families and friends gather together in remembrance and to pray for those who have passed away. It can be associated with All Saints’ Day. In 2008, the holiday even became a part of the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
As part of tradition, private alters, ofrendas, are built to honor the dead. These altars are often decorated with marigolds, sugar skulls, photo memorabilia, and the favorite foods of the deceased as gifts. These offerings encourage the souls to come back and visit their families. The living want the dead to hear their prayers.
One of the most common symbols of this celebration is the skull. People wear skulls masks and decorate chocolate and sugar skulls. These sugar skulls are gifts that are given to both the living and the dead. Another common sweet treat is pan de muerto, which is a sweet egg bread that is often made into the shape of a skull and decorated with white frosting to represent bones.
Common forms of celebrating this holiday includes eating the food of the loved ones who have passed on, dancing, and wearing colorful costumes. You don’t need to be in Mexico to celebrate! Many Americans with Mexican heritage honor this holiday in the United States too.