A Young Catrina
Famously depicted by early 20th century artist José Guadalupe Posada, La Catrina has come to symbolize the Day of the Dead celebrations. Inspired by the Aztec goddess of death, Mictecacihuatl, La Catrina is in some ways a reminder that all of life is a cycle and death is just one step. A smiling female skeleton in fancy attire and topped with an elegant hat, she personifies death itself, but for the Mexican culture it is with a sense of humor and understanding. Posada also used La Catrina as political and social satire- she is a reminder that no matter your social class, death comes to all…and perhaps it was with ‘a wink and a nod’ that Posada portrayed death in fancy European clothing.