Mexico is a country that is eager to visitmany travelers from all over the world. Mexico gives its guests the opportunity not only to fully relax on the magnificent beaches, but also to get acquainted with interesting culture, ancient architectural monuments and unusual cuisine. Speaking about this country, many people represent a colorful Mexican skull.
Cultural heritage
Mexican culture is very surprised for the first timearrived here foreigners. Images of skeletons and skulls haunt travelers everywhere. In souvenir shops, tourists are happy to demonstrate the symbols of death and offer to buy in memory bright multicolored skulls or materials with a pattern in the form of skulls.
Tourists are led to bewildered dummies in the form ofskeleton, standing in stores. Terrible figures associated with the end of life are present on all national holidays. To understand this, it is necessary to study the historical past of the state. And only then can you understand what the Mexican skull means.
The Cult of Death
Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the country was inhabitedthe Aztecs. Unlike Europeans, in the Aztecs the theme of death was not under the strictest ban. The religion of this people somewhat differently told people about the reasons that bring the human soul to paradise.
According to the teachings, happiness after death canfind only valiant warriors who died in battle, or women who died during childbirth. All the others, peacefully departed from this life in old age, were waiting for a meeting with the god of the other world, Miklantekuitly. He appeared before the dead in a mask in the form of a skull and determined his soul to be destroyed. Believing in this, the Aztecs even more loved this world and made sacrifices, thereby trying to appease her majesty death. Mexican skull culture is still being studied.
Modern residents of Mexico revere death, come up with affectionate definitions:
- The Black Lady;
- beloved;
- Holy death;
- bride.
Feast of the Dead
The result of the fusion of Christian and pagan cultures was the feast of the Dead. At the time of the Aztecs, rituals were held. The main were two:
- Mikkailuitton in honor of the dead children.
- Sokotuettsi, dedicated to the memory of the adult generation.
Then the territories were conquered by Catholics and brought their holiday - the Day of Remembrance of the Dead, which is celebrated on November 2, immediately after All Saints' Day.
Gradually, these holidays were combined, andmodern residents of Mexico celebrate the Day of the Dead for two whole days in early November. The Mexican skull is often used to create carnival souvenirs and costumes.
Many believe that on November 1-2 the souls of deceased relativescan visit the living. Mexicans come to the cemetery, bring gifts to the graves, talk with the souls of the deceased, recall the best moments from life. But in these days there is no place for sadness and sorrow.
People organize various entertainment events, turn to the Goddess of Death and ask her for happiness, health and trouble for the enemies. Death for them is not the end of life.
The symbol of the Day of the Dead in Mexico is Calavera,which in Spanish means "Mexican skull". Even children do not stay away from this holiday. They gladly eat coffins made of chocolate and a skull of sugar.
Tattoos of Cavavera
Recently, tattoos with images of death symbols are very popular. It can be:
- crosses;
- skull;
- snakes;
- crows.
Tattooing on the body is not just anothera way to express respect to the people who have left forever from this world, to bow to their memory, but also a symbol of courage and rebirth. That's why many order a Mexican skull. The meaning of the picture does not bear anything terrible and terrifying.
Calavera - who is this?
But on top of the popularity among the tattoo isthe symbol of the day of the dead - Culavera. The goddess of death is depicted as a girl with a skull instead of a head, flowers instead of eyes. The skull is decorated with amazing patterns, in which floral motifs are not the last place.
Tattoos with the image of Culavera prefernabivat in the chest, hips or shoulders. Also do just two symmetrical tattoos, for example, on the hands and hips. Manufacturers of clothing, too, often use its image. T-shirts and T-shirts with a skull in bright colors are particularly loved by the younger generation. During the carnival, many girls put on a mask that depicts the Queen of the Dead. In Mexico, this outfit is especially popular.
The Day of the Dead is a tradition that was bornon the territory of the country long before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors. This is the most national and very unusual holiday in Mexico, the main attribute of which is the Mexican skull. It is loved not only by adults, but also by children. And many Mexicans are sure that if it did not exist, then it should certainly come up.
