The jewelry in the shape of a skull has a long history. People have been using skulls to make jewelry and wearing them since the 15th century. There are different types of skull jewelry, today, we will focus on the origin and meaning of sugar skulls.
When it comes to sugar skulls, the first thing that comes to mind is inevitably the Mexican Day of the Dead.
The Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a festival often misunderstood that is celebrated in Mexico. Although, technically speaking, the true Day of the Dead is November 2nd, the tradition has evolved to also include October 31st and November 1st.
As early as 1000 years before the arrival of Europeans in Mexico, symbols of death such as skulls appeared in Mexican art. The living image of the skeleton was incorporated into the hearts of all members of the tribes who are deeply influenced by Mexican culture. Mexicans readily accept the different symbols of death and dying, including the "Calavera (skull in Spanish)". According to legend, the gods use the bones of the dead to create new life. For Mexicans, the skull also signifies the origin of life.
Catrina Necklace by Santa Muerte
In Mexican popular culture, this beautiful bone is called Katarina. She was a woman who, during her lifetime, lived in the upper class. Katarina is the most popular figure of the Day of the Dead. It is a tattoo of the face of the Day of the Dead. On that day, many girls will do a sugar skull makeup (also known as Catrina makeup). In other words, they make their face look like a skull on that day. It may seem strange, but the colorful petals and skillful designs make them more attractive. These makeups can be found in the streets, during parades, and impromptu dances, another form of tribute to the goddess of death.
November 1st is traditionally called Dia de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels) in Mexico and it is the day to honor babies and children who have passed away. November 2nd is the true Dia de los Muertos, where families honor the adults they have lost. It is believed that on these days, the souls of the deceased return to earth to be with their families and loved ones. The modern grand procession, which has evolved from the ancient celebration, has become one of the indispensable events for the local population.
Catrina Earrings by Santa Muerte
One of the main activities of the Day of the Dead is the creation and decoration of the altar. The altar is set up with classic elements, each of which has a particular meaning. The sugar or chocolate skulls, which make up the Calavera, represent deceased family members; the top of the "sacrificial bread" is made in the shape of two crossed bones and sprinkled with sugar to show the generosity of the sacrificer.
Not only do sugar skulls appear on the altar, but people also like to dress up as colorful sugar skulls and wear rings and pendants with sugar skull elements to express their love for the festival.
The reason why sugar skulls have become the most important element of the Day of the Dead is mainly due to the understanding and tradition of life and death of the Mexican people, where skulls not only signify death but also the origin of life, and where they approach death with optimism and celebration to mourn the death of their loved ones.
When you are in Mexico on the Day of the Dead, you must dance, drink a second cup of tequila or Dos Equis beer, crush it, and eat a sweet sugar skull. After that, you will indulge in the inevitable things of life, see the infinite joy of the future, and thank the passing time. As written in some books, Mexicans will say that nothing is better than a rainbow-colored sugar skull in their hands. "
As you can see, sugar skulls are all colorful. What do the colors on sugar skulls mean? Do the different sizes of sugar skulls represent different things?
Each different color has its own meaning, and this simple hill of demarcation will hopefully give you a little insight.
The color red symbolizes the blood in our bodies; Christians may think that the color red symbolizes the blood of Jesus.
The color orange symbolizes the sun.
Yellow, commonly used in marigolds during ceremonies, symbolizes death.
Purple symbolizes sadness and pain, and in other cultures, wealth and royalty.
Pink represents hope, purity, and celebration.
White is also a symbol of purity and hope.
The color black symbolizes the land of the dead.
Similarly, different sugar skulls tell their own stories based on their shape. A small sugar skull may suggest that it is a memorial for a deceased child. A larger sugar skull may symbolize an adult or an elderly person. This is an important element in understanding the history of the skull.
Family members can also decorate the skull, with a big smile or crazy hair. All of this is meant to represent the joy of life and death.
In addition, many people have the habit of writing the name of the deceased on the forehead of the sugar skull used for the tribute, which can give the deceased the feeling that the loved one still remembers them. It is a special way to pay tribute.
If you know sugar skulls, one thing is clear: they do not make people sad. On the contrary, these colorful sugar skulls show us that death is not so scary, it simply gives us another way of living. That is why many people choose sugar skull tattoos and jewelry to remind themselves to face life, fear, and death positively.
Jewelry designed according to the image of the sugar skull not only expresses its deep meaning but also makes it more everyday. Rings and pendants can match your everyday outfits, and the sugar skull element is more colorful and can add some highlights to your ensemble. If you like the sugar skull element and are interested in sugar skull jewelry,