Did you know in Mexico they honor the dead by offering them treats? Every November 1st and 2nd natives of Mexico will set up an altar in their home dedicated to a loved one that passed away. These altars are usually covered in candles, pictures, flowers, and sweet treats. This tradition has been around for 3,000 years celebrating life and death. The holiday Día de muertos or Day of the Dead originated from Aztec culture and has been passed down from many generations. The celebration itself is bright, colorful and loaded with skulls.
The skulls carry a very strong representation of death and rebirth. Originally,the Aztecs and other Meso-American civilizations kept skulls as trophies and displayed them during the ritual. Today the Day of the Dead is celebrated in different parts of the US, Mexico and Central America. One of the most popular treats that can be found on an altar is the Sugar Skull. Its sugar that has been molded into a skull and decorated with brightly colored frosting and even glitter. On the forehead of the skull is the name of a dead relative and the skull is usually eaten by a close friend or one of their family members. Now I have always been interested in making them, however you have to find the right mold to do it. But, if you are interested in trying to make your own sugar skulls visit: http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/sugar_skulls/instructions.html
And if you would like to find out more about Dia de Muertos visit: http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/articles/dead-history.html
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