How to Decorate a Mask for Dia De Los Muertos
"Dia De Los Muertos" is Spanish for "Day of the Dead." In Mexican tradition, departed loved ones return to visit their families on October 31 and then depart again on November 2. To help celebrate this event, families create altars on which they place pictures of the deceased, marigolds, food offerings in the shape of skulls and other related figures, as well as incense and candles. Celebrations also include processions to cemeteries with music and dancing. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Acrylic paints
- Craft and detail paintbrushes
- Stencils
- Stickers
- Fresh or silk marigolds
- Hot glue gun
Instructions
-
-
1
Paint brightly colored skull images on your mask using paint brushes and acrylic paints. Laughing skulls are appropriate, since it's customary to mock and laugh at death during the celebration. Use a stencil if you don't have the artistic skill to design your own skull images. Let the paint dry completely.
-
2
Add symbolic stickers to the mask. For example, yellow and orange marigolds are the floral symbols of the dead. A glass of water symbolizes a refreshment of the soul. You can also attach fresh or silk marigolds onto the mask with a hot glue gun.
-
-
3
Paint or add stickers of pink, purple and white candles to the mask. The candles light the way for the dead to return. White represents hope, pink represents celebration and purple represents pain.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Skull stencils are available at discount or craft and hobby stores, particularly around Halloween.
Inexpensive face masks are available at party supply or craft and hobby stores. They are typically paper or plastic and work well with paints or sticker decorations.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
