Zócalo Blog
The Importance of Face Painting for Dia de Muertos
Discover the history and meaning behind Día de Muertos face painting, from calavera makeup and La Catrina to the colors, flowers, and traditions that transform the face into a celebration of memory, family, life, and those who came before us.
The Art of Catrinas in Capula, Michoacán
In Capula, Michoacán, clay becomes a celebration of life, death, and imagination. Known for its distinctive pottery traditions, the town has also...Read more...
Illuminating Tradition: The Beeswax Candles of Teotitlán del Valle
In Teotitlán del Valle, beeswax candles have long been part of Zapotec ceremonies, weddings, religious celebrations, and Day of the Dead altars... read more...
Mictēcacihuātl: The Goddess of the Underworld
Discover the story of Mictēcacihuātl, the Mexica “Lady of the Dead,” who ruled over Mictlán and watched over the bones of the dead... Read More...
Calaveritas Literarias: The Poems of Día de Muertos
Monarch Butterflies, Spirits of Día de Muertos
Each fall, as Día de Muertos approaches, millions of Monarch butterflies arrive in central Mexico. For many, this migration of butterflies is believed to carry the souls of ancestors returning to visit loved ones... Read More...
