Sugar Skulls and Día De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico
November 2nd is the official date for Day of the Dead, but it should be called Days of the Dead because the celebrations begin on October 31st and last through November 2nd. It’s believed that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31st to allow the spirits of departed children to reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 2nd, the spirits of the adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them.
Sugar skulls are a recognized symbol of Día de los Muertos. The sugar skulls are used to decorate the graves of deceased loved ones, exchanged as gifts, or placed on the offrenda. An offrenda is an elaborately decorated altar created to honor the dead. The sugar skulls are typically accompanied by candles, cempazúchitls (Aztec marigold considered the “flor de muertos” or the flower of the dead), crosses and other religious emblems.
It’s fairly simple to make your own sugar skulls! It’s a two day project and you’ll need sugar skull molds, meringue powder and some other materials to make it happen. Learn how here.
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR SOME LESS TIME-CONSUMING ALTERNATIVES:
1. Easy, yet so clever paper plate sugar skull
2. Marshmallow sugar skull pops
