Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday celebrated on November 2nd where families remember and honor loved ones who have passed away. They create ofrendas or memorials for the deceased which include pictures and sugar skulls. The traditions are a blend of Pre-Columbian beliefs about death being a part of life and modern Catholicism, and skeletons are often depicted doing everyday activities to represent life continuing after death.

1. Mexican Folk Art and Dia de los Muertos
Grade 4

2. What is Dia de los Muertos?

3. This holiday stems from Central America. We will focus on Mexico.

7. What is Dia de los Muertos?
In Mexico and other Central American
countries, people celebrate Dia de los
Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, on
November 2nd. The traditions of this
holiday are a blend of Pre-Columbian
beliefs and modern Catholic ones.
On the Day of the Dead, families celebrate
the memories and lives of loved ones who
have died. They create memorials to them
called ofrendas.
Images of skeletons doing everyday
things are drawn and displayed.

8. Calacas
Calacas are
skeletons shown
doing everyday
activities.

9. Sugar Skulls
Sugar Skulls are colorful candies that are shaped like skulls.
They use lots of contrast and rhythm.

10. Where do you see
contrast?
Where do you see
rhythm?
How about emphasis?
Try to place light colors
against darker ones.