Calaca figures to celebrate the Day of the Dead

© PvE/Alam

A party for the departed. All Souls Day

Whether made of wood, clay, or even candy, these Day of the Dead skeleton figures, called calaca, share one common trait: They’re having fun. The reason for the whimsical portrayal of death is a holdover from the Aztec influence on Mexican culture: The dead do not want to be remembered with sadness, but rather the joy they brought to the world when they were alive. Today is the final day of the three-day celebration, beginning with All Saints Eve on October 31 and ending today with All Souls Day.