Day of the Dead: The History of a Celebration

A stunning bilingual, illustrated, and photographic account of a celebrated Mexican tradition

In this gorgeous coffee table book, beloved Mexican art and culture magazine Artes de México creates a written, illustrated, and photographic account of the Day of the Dead celebration that takes readers through the origins of the holiday, as well as its history and evolution and the many ways it's celebrated today.

The lively Mexican holiday of Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) brings together sorrow and laughter, drawing from indigenous traditions of celebrating one’s ancestors and loved ones who have been lost. It’s a day of serenity, family, and exuberant creativity, where sugar and skulls can exist side by side.

Alongside the visually stunning displays of altars, cemeteries, costumes, and festivities, a group of renowned Mexican writers has contributed essays that cover topics including the holiday’s rural and urban distinctions, occult ancestry, and Indigenous rituals. Their words are imbued with spectacular personal significance—and impressive academic rigor—as they recount local legends, family traditions, and tales of life, death, and wandering souls.