Mexicans paint their faces for the Day of the Dead 10 Feb 2017
About this photo
Mexicans paint their faces with the Calavera (skull) to celebrate the Dia de Los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) festival held annually on the 1st and 2nd of November. It is believed that on this night the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead is thinnest. Mexicans celebrate the lives of deceased loved ones throughout these two days. Gifts are offered at home-made altars and parties are held, graveside, with the favourite music, snacks, and stories of those passed being shared.
Face paintings can be representations of lost loved ones or expressions of oneself. Different colours and images are symbolic, in this picture purple displays mourning, grief and suffering with yellow demonstrating the sun and unity between the dead and the living on earth. Discover Mexico's traditions on Insight Guides' Magnificent Mexico and Mayan Treasures trip.
