Día de los Muertos has roots in pre‑Hispanic rituals that honored the dead long before Spanish colonization. Aztec communities held month‑long ceremonies for ancestors, guided by deities of death and rebirth. Over time, these traditions blended with Catholic observances of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, creating the modern festival of altars, marigolds, and candlelit vigils. Within this cultural fusion emerged El Catrín, the elegant male skeleton inspired by early 20th‑century satirical art. Originally a critique of elites who imitated European fashion, he evolved into a symbol of Mexico’s unique relationship with death—stylish, unafraid, and self‑aware. Today, El Catrín stands as a reminder that history, identity, and mortality are all part of the same vibrant story.