Thursday, November 1, 2012

Inspired By: The Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is a holiday celebrated primarily in Mexico on November 1st and 2nd. The holiday is about praying for and remembering family and friends who had passed away. Traditions include building altars to honor the dead using sugar skulls, marigolds, candles, and the favorite foods of the deceased.
Skulls
Inspired By: The Day of the Dead's Skulls
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The skull decorations that are so widely known became popular after Jose Guadalupe Posada did a zinc etching in 1910 of a skeleton wearing a flower-adorned hat. The etching is called La Calavera Catrina, or The Elegant Skull {see it here}. It is now an iconic image throughout Mexico and the world. To really get into the theme of the holiday, go for a skull print dress or top, and don't be afraid of color.
Marigolds

Inspired By: The Day of the Dead's Marigolds
Marigolds are known as "the flower of the dead" and are an important symbol for the festivities because the scent is believed to attract the souls and draw them to the altars that were created for them. Dress as the beautiful, sun-like flower with a yellow floral tunic and boots or a coral high-low dress with a fun floral headband.
Cemeteries
Inspired By: The Day of the Dead's Cemeteries

It's customary for the family to spend several days cleaning and decorating the graves of the dead with candles, flowers, skulls, food, and photographs. Usually the family stays around the grave at night, praying, reading poems, and telling each other funny anecdotes about the family member or friend. The point of it is to encourage the souls of the dead to visit the grave to see that they are being remembered. Wear an outfit inspired by the glow of the candles with a white dress and metallic accents. Or go dark, as inspired by the cover of night, with a black and gray sweater dress, tombstone ring, and skull-embellished flats.
Happy Day of the Dead!
(Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, & 9)

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6 comments:

  1. Hi Sara! I am a new follower of you. I love the brightness and festivity of the colors you featured. What a great idea:). When I was a little girl I always wanted to dress up in a Mexican dress my Nana had bought me that was beautiful! Wish I still had it...

    Tiffany at The Dwelling Tree
    http://thedwellingtree.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi! Thanks so much for following me and I'm so glad you like the post!!

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  2. Hi Sara, you were welcome for the comment, thanks for returning! I have to thank you for this post.. I've seen so much makeup done for Sugar skulls and had never really known about it, or what it ment! This was really insightful! I also LOVE those heels, both the brightly coloured and the browny ones. What a fabulous blog you have! Ithi xx

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  3. this is awesome!!! but of course you know i love the day of the dead! i not only love all the bright colors and the cool skulls, but i really love the meaning of the holiday...and its on my birthday haha :-p i love all those skull items, i petty much love anything with sugar skulls on it! i really like all the cemetery pix too! one day you and i should go to a cemetery and celebrate the day of the dead!

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    1. Yay I'm so glad you like the post! I had you and the fact that you love this holiday in mind when I made it!

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Hello, beautiful! Thanks for leaving a comment!
Have a lovely day!
~Sara ♥

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