Death has a different meaning for us mexicans than for some others. We actually mock about it and have jokes on how we are teasing death and how we cheat it.
This thinking comes from our ancient past, and even after the spaniard colonization it remained deep.
We do not render cult to death, instead it is a reminder that we must live fully. In the meantime, artisans make skeletons that represent all socioeconomic groups in the country, as death doesn’t make differences.
For any walks of life, they will meet. At any time. The woman skeletons are called “Catrina”
La Catrina or Calavera Garbancera (Chickpea Scull by José Guadalupe Posada).
Garbancera, is the name given to chickpea sellers, having indian blood, they pretended to be europeans, spanish or french, being the last one the must common due to the mexican ruler Porfirio Diaz, who stablished strong bonds with France in the 1900’s.
Garbanceras rejected their own origins, heritage and culture.

This is the mural “Dream on a Sunday Afternoon at the Alameda Central” by Diego Rivera, who painted himself as a kid left to La Catrina altogether with Frida Kahlo, his wife.
To the right of La Catrina, Jose Guadalupe Posada, the man who coined the name Catrina. Jose would picture La Catrina as a cloth-less skeleton, with only a french hat on its head remarking the mexicans that were poor and that wanted to have an european life style that didn’t corresponded with their reality.
People actually by these figures for their homes. Would you like to have Michael Jackson’s one?
We are taking orders!
Catrinas of all styles: fancy, indigenous, couples….
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This is brilliant! ;-D
Thank you! and thank you for the reblog!!
Where can I purchase this catrinas? the detail is superb
Thank you
I am late to answer. Better late than never. these photographs were taken in Puerto Vallarta. You may find then in Mexico City and for sure on the internet…. let me know if you may need more info! thanks!
Reblogged this on Doing the Write Thing and commented:
I really find this brilliant and amusing! I browsed the pics first and they really made me smile… the first article I reblog 😉 Thinking too much about life not just make us crazy ;-D
No thanks (to the Michael Jackson), but I wouldn’t mind the last one – brilliant! Great post, Cedric 🙂
thank you! and well.. I agree with you about Mik!
🙂
Wow, these are amazing! Death is an important part of life, for sure. Thanks so much for sharing all these brilliant skeleton pics. I think I’ll stay with my bell collection though. 🙂
hahah! yes.. I see them less scary… Thank you!!
Fascinating, I’d have to have the purple lady as its my favourite colour!
Oh yes.. that is one of my favorites. Thank you!
Very definitely an art form. Thank you for explaining the history behind it. Nice set of photos 🙂
Thank you, Story is important… so if you ever come to MX you can take one of them with you!
What can one say, brill post, and is death so final… love it thanks. 😉
Thank you.. and in the mean time lets live “la vida loca” hahaha!
So interesting and a great series
thank you for stopping by!
Beautiful and creepy! Perfect! 😀
perfect and beautiful! and creepy too! thank you!
I love these! 😉
Thanks.. these are just great!
Amazing and creative! Of course, I’m sure La Catrina – being so stylish – feels like she needs to lose weight 😉 .
hahaha… stylish! yes that is the main message! I agree with you.
There is something strangely fascinating about skeletons though, isn´t there?
yes. mystery.
Fantastic post with great photos and history!
Thank you… Have to get the story right!
very different and looks cool 🙂
wow! thank you for your comment!
These are amazing! Love that Michael Jackson one… Kinda looked like him… just saying. 😆
like him? it is exactly like him! haha!
Thanks for this. I love the tradition, and have celebrated Day of the Dead in Mexico many times. Seems like a more sound view of death and how we should approach it to me. 🙂
Now you know!! I hope you have enjoyed your visits to Mexico and come back frequently!
Que catrinas taaaan elegantes !!!
Si son una preciosuras!!
Fascinating stuff. love your post
by your looks I bet you do! just don’t take them away… at least not all of them!
This is perfect for Halloween!!
I love the mom with the baby on back and hanging on her side…the hanging baby’s face is the perfect, waahhaa, crying look! 🙂 lol
Halloween? yes.. we would say the day of the death or “all saint’s day” a celebration that takes place in November.
Reblogged this on Simply Charming and commented:
Okay, Halloween is a month away but it is never too early for skeletons…right??
Maybe there is inspiration for a great costume design from Implicado’s post, yes?
gee! thanks for the re blogging!
Thanks for sharing some great photos…I should have asked first but I was hoping you would not mind the reblog. So, thanks after the fact…
I never knew skeletons could make me smile…They are so appealing …mkg
well well! I am glad! thank you!
Que buenas fotooos!!! Excelente fotografía y un gran trabajo, también soy mexicana y muy orgullosa de serlo! Las ofrendas y el día de muertos es algo simplemente INCREIBLE gracias por compartir las fotos con nosotros!!
Que tengas un excelente Día!
Saludos!!
Dónde las tomaste?? Me recuerdan muchísimo las que tienen en el Museo de Arte Popular en el Centro del DF, jejeje xD
😀 Cheers!
En Puerto Vallarta, tienen una tienda de artesanias con un monton de estas! saludos y gracias!!!
Aaaah ok! Jejejeje se parecen muchísimo a las que tienen en el Museo de Arte Popular en el DF, muy buen blog 🙂
Gracias por compartir! 🙂
Que tengas un excelente fin de semana.
Muchas gracias x tus comentarios y por la visita!!! a mi me encantan todas estas cosas de nuestra cultura!!
what unique trivia! the day of the dead there is surely the most interesting i all of lati ameria! the story about the Garbanceras was interesting as well.