Mexican Day of the Dead Decorations

When we arrived in Mexico at the beginning of November 2017, artefacts of the former Day of the Dead were literally to be found everywhere. The bookshops had tiny skulls hidden behind books, the showrooms for designer clothing had their trendy dresses on skeleton-like mannequins. The museum exhibitions were devoted to the Day of the Dead – one of the most important holidays in Central and Southern Mexico.

It is believed, that on the Day of the Dead, the gate between the real world and the world of the dead opens, and the spirits are allowed to visit their family member and friends. The reunification is the reason for a big celebration, so it is nothing strange when a two-month income is spent on festival decorations or for the food on this day.

Altars for the dead souls are erected, huge amounts of food are cooked and, the most famous of all the houses and even the bodies are decorated with the symbols of the other world: skulls and bones. A distinction between the dead and the living ones should be hard to make!



Here are some of the peculiar decorations that we encountered on our way from Mexico City to the Yucatán peninsular:

- A temporary exposition in the Museum of Dolores Olmedo famous for its collection of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera is dedicated to the Day of the Dead. The skeletons stage scenes from popular Mexican Movies and its sets.

day of the dead decorations
day of the dead decorations
day of the dead decorations


- Somebody was very creative decorating their house

day of the dead decorations
day of the dead decorations


- Skeletons enhanced the Oaxaca Library – I would have enjoyed writing my papers surrounded by such cool decoration.

day of the dead decorations
day of the dead decorations
day of the dead decorations


- A skeleton graffiti at the market of a village near Oaxaca

day of the dead decorations


- Day of the Dead decorations of a restaurant

Dia de los Muertes
day of the dead decorations


- Day of the Dead face paint

day of the dead decorations


- And some beer dedicated to the Day of the Dead

day of the dead decorations
Leave a comment:


Your name:
Your email:
The email is optional and only used for reply notifications.

Please answer this spam protection question:
What is the name of the yellow fruit monkeys supposedly enjoy a lot?


Related Posts

Frida Kahlo's Style

Frida Kahlo's Style

Frida Kahlo`s iconic style is easily recognizable - perhaps, the Mexican painter had the most recognizable personal style. Being a big fan of Kahlo`s art - and her clothing is definitely a part of it - I was quite happy to find a temporary exhibition, devoted to Frida Kahlo`s style in Frida`s Blue House in Mexico City.

☞ Continue reading ☜