What does La Catrina look like?

This face has a definite aesthetic: a skull, wearing a much-embroidered bonnet resplendent with flowers. This is La Calavera Catrina – the 'elegant skull' – often simply La Catrina.

What does La Catrina represent?

La Calavera Catrina was created circa 1910 as a reference to the high-society obsession with European customs and by extension, Mexican leader Porfirio Diaz, whose corruption ultimately led to the Mexican Revolution of 1911.

What does La Catrina symbolize in Mexican culture?

"Catrina has come to symbolize not only El Día de los Muertos and the Mexican willingness to laugh at death itself, but originally catrina was an elegant or well-dressed woman, so it refers to rich people," de la Torre said. "Death brings this neutralizing force; everyone is equal in the end.

How is a Catrina dressed?

La catrina, which translates to “the lady in the hat,” is a female skeleton and is probably the most recognized symbol of the holiday. She wears an elegant bright-colored dress, which many women wear as a way to mock death.

Is La Catrina a God?

Her name is La Catrina and the essence of her story goes deep into Mexican traditions and roots but has been restyled only in the last century. It is believed that the Aztecs worshipped a goddess of death that they alleged protected their departed loved ones, helping them into the next stages.

The True Origins Of La Catrina | Dia de los Muertos

What is Catrina in Day of the Dead?

Mexico's lady of death, La Catrina, is José Guadalupe Posada's most famous character. It is a reminder to enjoy life and embrace mortality.

Why do people dress up as La Catrina?

La Catrina specifically was created in the early 1910s by Mexican political cartoonist José Guadalupe Posada. According to Dr. Canto, Posada frequently used the elegantly dressed skeletons to criticize the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz and the upper classes that supported him during the Mexican Revolution.

What kind of hat does La Catrina wear?

Mexican printmaker, cartoon illustrator and lithographer José Guadalupe Posada's satirical portrait of La Calavera Garbancera. The image depicts a female skeleton with an iconic fancy ostrich feathered hat, which was a popular fashion among European aristocrats at the time.

Where did La Catrina come from?

La Catrina was originally created by Jose Guadalupe Posada and later named and painted dressed up by Diego Rivera in one of his murals. It became an iconic figure in Mexican culture representing death and the way Mexicans face it.

Who was the creator of La Catrina?

The original cartoon of La Calavera Catrina, by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada. It is thought to have been drawn around 1910, as the Mexican Revolution was gathering steam.

Where are Catrinas made in Mexico?

Capula is a small town only about 20 minutes by car from the city of Morelia, Michoacán. The road is good and you will arrive very fast.

What are the Mexican skeletons called?

A calaca (Spanish pronunciation: [kaˈlaka], a colloquial Mexican Spanish name for skeleton) is a figure of a skull or skeleton (usually human) commonly used for decoration during the Mexican Day of the Dead festival, although they are made all year round.

What is a male Catrina?

This is a catrina. It's a figure of a woman skeleton usually dressed in a nice dress with a large plumed hat. A male skeleton is called a "catrin." And why are they so prevalent during the Days of the Dead?

Is Catrina a name?

American Baby Names Meaning:

In American Baby Names the meaning of the name Catrina is: Form of the Greek Catherine meaning pure.

Why do Mexicans like skeletons so much?

Skulls and skeletons are still seen widely in Mexican folk art, especially at the time of the Day of the Dead. Realize that they are not about death but rather about the duality of life and death, a statement that death is an integral part of life. Because the skeletons are never dead!

What was the original name of La Catrina?

The original La Catrina was created in 1910 around the start of the Mexican Revolution by José Guadalupe Posada, a Mexican printmaker who created political cartoons. "The original name was La Calavera Gabancera," said Bertha Rodriguez, chief operating officer at San Francisco's Mexican Museum.

Why is Mexico obsessed with skulls?

What is so special about the skull? Well, the skull in Mexican culture represents death and rebirth, the entire reason for Day of the Dead celebrations. Local culture believes that the afterlife is as important if not more important than your life on earth.

What happens in cemeteries on Day of the Dead?

The Day of the Dead is a time of celebration and remembrance of loved ones who have passed away, much like Memorial Day in the United States. During the days of the dead, the family often takes the opportunity to visit the gravesite and pull weeds, clean any debris and decorate the graves of loved ones.

What painter used La Catrina as inspiration?

In regular or fancy clothes, the skeleton characters used in the film are inspired by the prints by José Guadalupe Posada, especially by his most renowned creation: Catrina La Calavera Garbancera. Or, more colloquially known as La Calavera Catrina.

What cultures influence the representation of La Catrina?

La Catrina is a symbol of syncretism between pre-Hispanic and colonial times; the Mexican and the European.

Who is Rogelio in La Catrina?

¿Rogelio Salazar? He is the assistant to Demetrio and he is very shy. He likes Jamie a lot, and at one point in the story, they both meet up together secretly, and Rogelio tells her the truth behind Silvestre and the Hacienda.

Who is the grand dame of death?

One of the most common symbols of Day of the Dead is the dressed up female skeleton called La Catrina.

What symbol of The Day of the Dead can be found in the mural Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda Central?

Here, the renowned printmaker depicted La Catrina as a skeleton in order to critique the Mexican elite. In Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Central Park, Rivera reproduces the original Posada print and adds an elaborate boa—reminiscent of the feathered Mesoamerican serpent god Quetzalcóatl—around her neck.

Who are the people in Dream of a Sunday afternoon?

Perhaps the most striking grouping is a central quartet featuring Rivera, the artist Frida Kahlo, the printmaker and draughtsman José Guadalupe Posada, and La Catrina.