Origins of the "Day of the Dead" go back 4000 years. Before the Spanish invaded, many indigenous cultures rose and fell in the land of what is now known as Mexico. Although there were many different cultures over those 4000 years, each shared a common belief of the afterlife. The belief was that death was the continuance of life, just in a different world. This belief resulted in the celebration of death instead of a fear. Once a year these indigenous people celebrated their ancestors death.

Because the chronology of Meso-American history is so muddled, it's unclear as to when and how the use of sugar skulls became popular in the celebration of Dia de los Muertos. We do know is that the Day of the Dead tradition was the result of the cultural merging after the Spanish conquest in the sixteenth century. The use of sugar art (including skulls) in the celebration of All Saint's Day can be traced back to twelfth century Europe."

This photo is not of actual very old objects. Instead it is of contemporary ones that represent a concept that goes back at least 4000 years.

The decorated, paper mache, black skull on the left was created and made by the mayor of Kansas City "Sly James". It is in honor of our city for its "Day of the Day" celebrations. The brown skull on the right is a traditional "Sugar Skull" made out of Chocolate and sugar icing. It was created by a local bakery "Panaderia de Las Americas". It is in honor of all loved ones that have passed on.