The Day of the Dead (Dia de lost Muertos) was Nov 1st. This is a day to honor one's deceased ancestors, which is a traditional holiday in Mexico and most Spanish speaking countries including Spain. The holiday is a synthesis of Catholic tradition and ancient Aztec tradition.
Being not Spanish speaking, Mexican, or Catholic, of course I had to I light my Catrina candle (purchased on a trip to Mexico). My Catrina wears the traditional marigolds.
(Ironically, I had unwittingly purchased some autumn blooming French marigolds for the pots in the front of my house on the 1st!!).
Evidently the first Catrina was La Calavera Catrina (calavera meaning skull) done in an etching by Jose Guadalupe Posada. This image has been incorporated into the Dia de los Muertos celebration in many ways.
And of course this image was used in Diego Rivera's famous Dreaming of a Sunday in Alameda Park, his huge mural in which he painted Catrina, himself, and of course wife Frida Rivera. Alameda was Mexico City's first park, built on a former Aztec ruin. I was lucky to see this mural during my trip, it is HUGE and located in its own building.
Here is a link to a detail from some nice photographer at flickr showing Diego's interpretation of himself, Friday, and Catrina
I did finish something on or around November 1st...this cute little sweater for my niece, a holiday gift.
The pattern is Fabled Cardigan by Terri Kruse.
Being not Spanish speaking, Mexican, or Catholic, of course I had to I light my Catrina candle (purchased on a trip to Mexico). My Catrina wears the traditional marigolds.
(Ironically, I had unwittingly purchased some autumn blooming French marigolds for the pots in the front of my house on the 1st!!).
Evidently the first Catrina was La Calavera Catrina (calavera meaning skull) done in an etching by Jose Guadalupe Posada. This image has been incorporated into the Dia de los Muertos celebration in many ways.
And of course this image was used in Diego Rivera's famous Dreaming of a Sunday in Alameda Park, his huge mural in which he painted Catrina, himself, and of course wife Frida Rivera. Alameda was Mexico City's first park, built on a former Aztec ruin. I was lucky to see this mural during my trip, it is HUGE and located in its own building.
Here is a link to a detail from some nice photographer at flickr showing Diego's interpretation of himself, Friday, and Catrina
I did finish something on or around November 1st...this cute little sweater for my niece, a holiday gift.
The pattern is Fabled Cardigan by Terri Kruse.
Interesting post Wendy. I have heard of that celebration of the dead before.
ReplyDeleteYour sweater is cute and I love the colour :-)