Mexico City is at its most festive in the days leading up to Day of the Dead.
Last Sunday Alejandro and I walked down the city's iconic boulevard, the Paseo de la Reforma to soak up the holiday atmosphere.
Statues of "catrinas", elegantly attired skeletons, line a portion of the boulevard.
Along another portion of Reforma, the "Mexicráneos" are on display. These large, fiberglass skulls have been a part of the city's Day of the Dead decorations since 2017. Each one is uniquely painted by different Mexican artists. Some of the "Mexicráneos" were from previous years, and others were new for 2025.
You could climb into one of the "Mexicráneos" for a photo op. For these old bones, it was hard to climb in and out!
You'll see more of the "Mexicráneos" in a future post.
These skulls were not part of the "Mexicráneos" display, but simply more of the Day of the Dead decorations.
The marigolds surrounding this skull were badly in need of watering.
For the last several years, a portion of the boulevard has been devoted to a Marigold Festival. Local nurseries set up stalls selling flowers. The "cempasúchil", as marigolds are known in Mexico, is an essential part of the "ofrendas" that people set up in their homes. It is thought that the flower's pungent smell guides the souls of the departed back to their homes on the Day of the Dead.
A giant figure of a "xolo", a Mexican hairless dog, stands along Reforma. In pre-Hispanic times, it was thought that the "xolo" guided the souls of the dead on their journey to the underworld.
Marigolds are planted around the Monument to Independence.
An enormous "catrina" figure stands in front of the monument.
The emphasis has changed dramatically in the last 15 years. It used to be all about the cemeteries and waiting for the departed.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have a friend, born in Mexico, who has lived in Ohio for decades. She did not believe me when I told her about all the events and parades centered around Day of the Dead... that is, until I showed her my photos and videos.
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