Day of Dead Blog

Every fall, streets, homes, and cemeteries across Mexico come alive with color. Families gather, altars glow with candles, and the air fills with the scent of marigolds and fresh bread. This is Día de los Muertos — the Day of the Dead.

Unlike Halloween, Día de los Muertos isn’t about fear. It’s about joy. It’s about welcoming loved ones who’ve passed, even for a night, and celebrating the love that never dies. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, this tradition is as meaningful as it is vibrant.

And at the heart of it all? The symbols. Each flower, skull, and piece of papel picado carries a story. Let’s explore them together — and discover how you can bring them into your own home with our Day of the Dead Collection.

The Ofrenda: An altar of love

Traditional Day of the Dead altar decorated with marigolds, candles, papel picado, food, sugar skulls, and offerings.

The ofrenda (altar) is the centerpiece of the celebration. Built in homes or cemeteries, it’s a space where the living and the dead come together.

💛The top level holds photos of ancestors and saints.

💛The middle is filled with favorite foods and drinks, including the famous pan de muerto.

💛At the base you’ll find water, candles, and incense — small details to guide and refresh visiting souls.

Each piece has a purpose, creating a bridge of memory. Want inspiration? Discover artisan-made decor in our Day of the Dead Collection to design your own altar.

Marigolds: Nature’s golden lanterns

Called cempasúchil, these orange-gold marigolds are the flower of Día de los Muertos. Their brilliant color and strong scent are said to light the path for spirits making their way back home.

If you’d like to recreate the look, you’ll find vibrant handmade flowers and papel picado among our artisan Day of the Dead pieces.

Skulls & skeletons: Dancing with death

Sugar skulls (calaveras) and playful skeletons (calacas) are perhaps the most iconic images of this holiday. They’re not spooky — they’re colorful, cheerful, and often smiling. They remind us that death isn’t an ending, but part of life’s big, beautiful cycle.

At Lumily, our artisans reinterpret this symbol in unique ways, from a hand-embroidered sugar skull wallet, to a sugar skull seed-bead necklace, and even a playful ceramic sugar skull pen. Each one brings this joyful tradition into daily life.

Hand-Embroidered Sugar Skull Ornament - Mexico

USD 14.50

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Culturas Embroidered Sugar Skull Wristlet - Thailand

USD 50.50

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Culturas Sugar Skull Day of the Dead Embroidered Wallet - Thailand

USD 61.50

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Sugar Skull | Catrina Seed Bead Magnetic Closure Bracelet - Guatemala

USD 35.50

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Sugar Skull Seed Bead Necklace - Guatemala

USD 52.50

USD 56.00

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Sugar Skull Seed Bead Earrings - Guatemala

USD 29.50

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Culturas Embroidered Sugar Skull Coin Purse - Thailand

USD 19.50

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Sugar Skull Beaded Zipper Pull - Thailand

USD 9.50

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Sugar Skull Embroidered Yoga Bag - Thailand

USD 59.50

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Sugar Skull and Tribal Wristlet with Leather Trim - Thailand

USD 35.50

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Hand-Painted Mini Sugar Skull Floral Keychain - Mexico

USD 11.50

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Hand-Painted Sugar Skull Ceramic Floral Pen - Unique Mexican Design - Mexico

USD 11.50

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Sugar Skull Embroidered Monochrome Wristlet - Thailand

USD 57.50

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Culturas Sugar Skull Crossbody Embroidered Bag - Thailand

USD 52.50

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Sugar Skull | Catrina Seed Bead Adjustable Closure Bracelet - Guatemala

USD 18.50

USD 26.00

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Sugar Skull Handmade Dainty Earrings - Thailand

USD 5.50

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Culturas Sugar Skull Embroidered Wristlet with Flower Trim - Thailand

USD 42.50

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Skull Embroidered Pillow Cover - Thailand

USD 86.50

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Pan de Muerto: Sweet bread, sweet memory

Two sugar-dusted pan de muerto breads on wooden plates, surrounded by marigolds, a lit candle, and a decorated sugar skull.

Pan de muerto (bread of the dead) is round and topped with bone-shaped dough. Its circular shape represents life’s cycle. Sharing it isn’t just delicious — it’s a way of remembering together.

While you bake or enjoy this bread, you can decorate your space with Day of the Dead-inspired accessories to complete the atmosphere.

The Four Elements: Air, water, fire, earth

An altar isn’t complete without the four elements:

💛Papel picado: Represents air and the fragility of life.

💛Water: Refreshes spirits on their long journey.

💛 Candles: Each flame lights the path for a soul.

💛Incense (copal): Cleanses the space and keeps away negative energy.

La Catrina: Elegance meets tradition

The elegant skeleton in a wide-brimmed hat? That’s La Catrina. Originally drawn by José Guadalupe Posada as satire, she’s now a beloved icon. Today, La Catrina reminds us that death belongs to all — and that we can face it with beauty and humor.

Celebrate her with artisan jewelry like our Sugar Skull earrings or bracelets inspired by La Catrina.

Calaveras literarias: Poetry with a wink

Another tradition? Writing calaveras literarias — witty, satirical poems that “mock” death. They’re lighthearted reminders not to take life too seriously.

Why it matters today

Día de los Muertos is more than tradition — it’s philosophy. It teaches us that death is not something to fear, but to embrace as part of life. You see it in parades, in art, and even in films like Coco. As one cultural scholar explained:

“Día de los Muertos is a tradition of joy… it is colorful, meaningful, and beautiful.”

Alejandra Balcázar (Towson University)

And we couldn’t agree more.

Celebrate it your way

You don’t need a huge altar to take part. Start small:

💛Place a photo of someone you love and light a candle.

💛Decorate with marigolds or handmade flowers.

💛Add papel picado for color.

💛Share pan de muerto with family.

If you’d like to explore artisan pieces that honor this holiday, we’ve curated a special Day of the Dead Collection filled with sugar skull jewelry, festive decor, and handcrafted accessories. Each piece supports fair-trade artisans and keeps these traditions alive.