On a date as important as Day of the Deadwe tell you what the spiritual meaning of La Catrina and its great mystery.
In the land of tequila, tacos and mariachis, The Catrina stroll elegantly through the streets in the Day of the Deaddefying death itself with his impeccable style. The story of this iconic Mexican figure is as extravagant and colorful as the hat that adorns his skull. But who is this elegant lady in black who has conquered Mexicans and spread her charm throughout the world?
What is it and what is the spiritual meaning of La Catrina?
More than a century ago, in the midst of the Mexican Revolution, a skilled cartoonist named José Guadalupe Posada had a vision: a skeletal figure, a skull that mocked not only death, but also the Mexican elite. Thus was born «La Calavera Catrina», a satirical criticism of the high society ladies of the time who preferred French dresses and exuberant hats instead of worrying about the revolution that was breaking out around them.
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However, fate had other plans for our skeletal lady. In 1947, the famous muralist Diego Rivera decided to bring her back to life in his mural «Dream of a Sunday afternoon in Alameda Central«. Transforming the carefree Calavera into «La Catrina», giving her body, elegance and personality. Now, this exalted lady walked through the mural along with other prominent figures in the history of Mexico, as in a kind of danse macabre with the protagonists of the past.
What is the importance of La Catrina today?
Today, Catrina is more than just a drawing on a mural. It has become a symbol of Mexican culture, a reminder that death is the great equalizerregardless of social status, gender or external beauty. The Day of the Dead, celebrated every November 2 in Mexico, is the time when Catrina goes out for a walk in her elegant dress, reminding us that death is nothing more than an inevitable part of life.
