Nov 02, 2022
Day of the Dead 2022
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Today streets pulse to Spanish folk songs as one of Mexico’s most important annual celebrations begins—Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos! Today, people in skeleton face paint pass by homes showcasing vibrant skulls made from sugar or clay. The Doodle artwork is crafted from real sugar to honor the tradition!
Day of the Dead traditions originated thousands of years ago from Indigenous cultures in Mexico. The Aztec and Mexica people believed the souls of the dead could visit the living, and each year they invited their loved ones to return home. The tradition is so meaningful that 16th-century Spanish settlers adopted the custom and turned it into a holiday.
On this day, Mexican families prepare to honor their loved ones by placing their photos on an ofrenda, or home altar, along with candles to help guide them home. Plumes of copal incense drift into the air as people invite their neighbors inside to admire the decorative altars. Friends share food like Pan de Metros, a mouthwatering round bread that represents the circle of life. It’s believed that the deceased first return to their graves, which are often decorated with bright marigold flowers and personal belongings.
Whether Mexicans are at home, the cemetery or a local parade, the day is filled with stories and laughter to commemorate loved ones and ancestors.
Happy Day of the Dead, Mexico!
Check out the behind-the-scenes process for
today’s Doodle artwork by Doodler, Lydia Nichols
Alt text: First round of letter forms—some sugar stuck to the cutting board
Alt text: Blending the sugar to sculpt skulls (in lieu of using a traditional mold)
Alt text: Final letter forms!
Where this Doodle appeared
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