Photos Of Mexico's Day Of The Dead Celebrations Show That Death Isn't Always Somber
The annual Mexican tradition of celebrating the Day of the Dead brings out performance, costumes, and a whole lot of fun.
Participants at the Day of the Dead International Parade, part of celebrations at Hemiciclo a Juarez on Oct. 27, 2019, in Mexico City
Each year, cities all over Mexico see streets filled with people dressed in stunning, ornate costumes, their faces painted as skulls, as they come together to celebrate the Day of the Dead, Día de Muertos. The centuries-old tradition maintains that death is a natural part of life and that remembering the dead should be joyful. For the days of festivities, the deceased return to Earth to feast, dance, and party with their loved ones. Especially after a season of darkness and isolation over the pandemic, perhaps a glimpse of these images can encourage and inspire people outside of Mexico to think differently about mourning those who have died.
A performer participates in the Day of the Dead parade next to Constitution Square on Nov. 2, 2019, in Mexico City.
A person takes part in the Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City on Oct. 27, 2018.
Day of the Dead entertainers perform before the Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Oct. 29, 2017, in Mexico City.
Participants take part during the Day of the Dead International Parade as part of celebrations at Hemiciclo a Juarez on Oct. 27, 2019, in Mexico City.
Young couples, costumed as La Catrina, a Mexican pop culture icon representing Death, walk through town during the Day of the Dead celebration on Nov. 1, 2014, in Morelia, Mexico.
Two women characterized as Catrinas on the esplanade of the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City on the occasion of the Day of the Dead on Nov. 1, 2020
A grave cross, decorated with marigold flowers, is seen at a cemetery during the Day of the Dead celebrations on Nov. 2, 2019, in Ayutla, Mexico.
People carry cempasúchil, or Aztec marigold, flowers as they arrive at the local cemetery during the Day of the Dead celebration on Nov. 1, 2013, in San Miguel Canoa, Mexico.
Musicians play next to a columbarium during the Day of the Dead celebration on Nov. 2, 2014, in Morelia, Mexico.
A person depicting pre-Hispanic Death walks in the streets of Oaxaca as part of the "Day of the Dead" celebrations on Nov. 2, 2019, in Mexico.
Food offerings are placed at the altar of the dead, honoring the deceased, during the Day of the Dead celebration on Nov. 1, 2014, in Morelia, Mexico.
A man dressed as a calaca, a Mexican icon representing the deceased, walks through the streets during the Day of the Dead parade on Oct. 29, 2016, in Mexico City.
Day of the Dead in Mexico City on Nov. 2, 2018
Day of the Dead celebrations Oct. 30, 2019, in Oaxaca, Mexico
An alebrije is seen in the streets of Mexico City during the Night of Alebrijes parade Oct. 20, 2007.
A young man, dressed as a mariachi member, kisses the hand of a young woman, dressed as La Catrina, during the Day of the Dead celebrations Oct. 31, 2019, in Oaxaca, Mexico.
A young woman, dressed as La Catrina, plays a flute at a cemetery during the Day of the Dead celebrations on Nov. 2, 2019, in Ayutla, Mexico.
Residents participate in El Paseo de Las Almas, the Walk of Souls, during a Day of the Dead festival in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, on Oct. 28, 2016.
People disguised as devilish clowns pose in the town of Soledad Etla as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations on Nov. 1, 2019, in Oaxaca, Mexico.
A giant calaca, a skeletal figure, is carried on the street during the Day of the Dead celebrations on Oct. 30, 2019, in Oaxaca, Mexico.
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