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At the art center where my photo club meets they do a big thing on the celebration of the Day of the Dead, which is the Latino remembrance of friends and family members who have passed. The idea is that November 1st and 2nd are days when it is easier for the souls of the departed to visit the living, and so altars of sorts are constructed to encourage this connection. They do a bunch of pretty involved altars and decorations at the art center, and they even teach classes on making stuff like sugar skulls. This is just one small portion of a very large altar that someone had constructed. Everyone loves those little skeletons. Admit it, you do too.
Ok, yes. I admit it. When I die I only hope my skeleton looks something like those fellows up there. Dancing around with sugary pink stuff in my eye sockets.
Don’t we all want to look this good dead?
The skulls are food for the deceased, offerings to encourage them to make contact with the living. In a more realistic setting, real food would be set out for the dead, called offrenda. It’s a very interesting ritual.