In Mexico, skulls are not symbols of fear—they reflect a unique way of understanding life and death. Since ancient times, death has not been seen as an end but as another step within the cycle of existence. Remembering those who have passed has always been a way to keep them alive in memory, and skulls have held a central place in Mexican culture—not as objects of terror, but as symbols of respect, renewal, and connection with ancestors.
Long before the arrival of the Spanish, the Mexicas (Aztecs), Mayas, and other Mesoamerican civilisations held rituals in honour of the dead. The skulls were displayed on Tzompantlis, large wooden altars where rows of skulls were lined up. Each skull told stories of sacrifice, balance with the gods, and the continuity of life. They were believed to contain spiritual and solar energy—vital to maintaining the balance of the cosmos. Excavations at the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlán have revealed around 650 skulls of men, women, and children, showing the diversity of those who took part in these rituals.
For the Mexicas, the fate of the soul depended on how one died. Most who died of natural causes embarked on a four-year journey through Mictlán, the underworld, divided into nine levels, crossing rivers, mountains, and facing challenges that symbolised the purification of the soul. But not everyone followed the same path: warriors who fell in battle went to the House of Tonatiuh to accompany the sun on its daily journey; women who died in childbirth became Cihuateteo, spirits who helped the sun during the night; and those who drowned went to Tlalocan, the eternal paradise of the rain god.
While the Mexicas conceived the journey of the soul through Mictlán, other civilisations such as the Mayas also explored their own vision of the afterlife.
They believed in Xibalbá, an underworld ruled by the gods of death, where souls faced trials and challenges before reaching their final destiny. The Cenotes—those stunning natural sinkholes—were considered portals to Xibalbá and were used in rituals and offerings to ensure a safe passage for spirits. Like the Mexicas, the Mayas practised human and self-sacrifice: nobles would pierce their tongues, ears, or bodies to offer their blood to the gods. For them, the skull was also a symbol of rebirth, closely tied to maize, representing how new life always arises from death.
With the arrival of the Spanish and Christianity, these ancient traditions blended with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, giving rise to the celebration of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) as we know it today.
In the 17th century, missionaries introduced the technique of moulding sugar to create religious figures, which Mexico adapted to make the first sugar skulls decorated in bright colours and often inscribed with the names of the deceased.
Today, in contemporary Mexican culture, skulls have evolved into symbols of joy and remembrance. During the Day of the Dead, families create ofrendas (altars) to honour their departed loved ones. These altars often feature sugar skulls, decorated with vibrant colours and sometimes with the names of the deceased. Interestingly, it’s also common to see the names of living people on these skulls—a playful reminder that death is inevitable for everyone. Beyond sugar, skulls are made of ceramic, clay, wood, papier-mâché, beads, or even edible ingredients like chocolate and amaranth, showcasing the creativity and ingenuity of Mexican artisans.
From the 19th century onward, skulls and skeletons also became part of satirical art, addressing social and political issues. Thus, what began as sacred and ritual symbols evolved into cultural icons that combine humour, critique, and memory—showing that in Mexico, death is never feared, but celebrated with creativity, colour, and heart.
Each skull—whether of sugar, clay, or wood—continues to tell the same ancestral story: that of a people who learned to smile at death in order to celebrate life.
Each one carries within it the warmth of remembrance and the artistry of human hands. And if you’d like to bring a touch of this beautiful Mexican tradition into your own home, Marketianguis offers handmade pieces that honour the spirit of Día de Muertos with colour, creativity, and heart.
Feel closer to home with colours, symbols, and stories that celebrate life — explore our Day of the dead selection.