In the Aztec Solar Calendar, the Day of the Dead was celebrated in the beginning of August towards the end of the month in Mexico,Now it is celebrated in Oct. in Mexico and in certain parts of the United States and Central America to coincide with Halloween. The Aztecs and other Meso-American civilizations kept skulls to symbolize death and rebirth. These skulls were used to honor their dead. It was believed their spirits came back to visit during the month long ritual. These indigenous people of Mexico had been practicing The Day of the Dead for at least 3,000 years! A ritual the Spaniards would try unsuccessfully try to eradicate.Remarkably, the indigenous people of Mexico did not separate death from pain, or wealth from poverty like in today's Western cultures. Surprisingly in such a stark contrast, Western society's Halloween is a day to fear death, spirits and the darkness while in Mexico it is welcomed with open arms and celebrated with food, music, and brightly colored flowers. In these photos Katya captures me in full regalia with her camera and quiet sensitivity for altering the lighting for that perfect Dia De Los Muertos mood. I had lot's of fun creating these photos with her!! Check out more of her works at :
http://katyaphoto.com/hairandmakeup/hair-and-makeup.php
