La Calavera Catrina: Her origins and who she is today

La Calavera Catrina: Her origins and who she is today

La Calavera Catrina is a quintessential Mexican icon. Her image can be found on just about everything now days, from five inch stilettos to traditional Mexican sugar skull candies. La Calavera Catrina is often referred to as Mexico’s Grand Dame of Death.

The first appearance of the Lady of Death in Mexico dates back to the Aztec Goddess Mictecacihuatl (Mitcal)–Queen of the Underworld. She protects the bones of the dead and presided over death festivals like the modern day Dia De los Muertos.

José Guadalupe Posada’s etching of “La Calavera Catrina,”created around 1910-1913; originally known as “La Calavera Garbancera.”

Her second appearance in mexican culture is a version much closer to our modern day Calavera Catrina. She was created by José Guadalupe Posada in an etching called “La Calavera Catrina,” created around 1910-1913; originally known as “La Calavera Garbancera.” She was created as a satirical image. The artist aimed to mock the indigenous Mexicans who imitated European style.

La Catrina in Diego Rivera’s mural “Sueño de Una Tarde Dominical en la Alameda.” Painted 1946-1947.

My favorite depiction of La Catrina is in Diego Rivera’s mural “Sueño de Una Tarde Dominical en la Alameda.” She appears alongside many of Mexico’s most notable figures. La Catrina is portrayed as a fine dressed lady inspired by Posadas’s earlier version. Her inclusion into the mural is meant to symbolize her noteworthy presence in Mexico’s culture and to reflect the comfort with which Mexicans embrace death.

La Calavera Catrina today is portrayed in all mediums and forms: from food, crafts, art, to fashion. With this commercialization, she has become the mascot for El Día De Los Muertos and is symbolic of the Mexican peoples softened approach to appreciating death through creative art.

For the many Mexicans who still celebrate El Dia De Los Muertos in its traditional form, La catrina represents the honoring of passed loved ones. El Dia De Los Muertos is a festival that lasts two days every year. On November 1st and 2nd, it is believed our departed loved ones come back and visit those still living. In preparation of their arrival, many prepare altars to honor them and welcome them home.

My own fascination with La Calavera Catrina stems from my love of all things paranormal: I find her intriguing and beautiful. To share my love of her, I leave you with three ways you can celebrate and honor the Grand Dame of Mexico this Dia De Los Muertos and Halloween.

1. Dress up as your own version of La Calavera Catrina.

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