Entity: CATRINA
La Catrina, also known as La Calavera Catrina, is a prominent figure in Mexican visual arts depicted as a lively skeleton wearing a large plumed hat associated with early 20th-century upper-class European women's fashion. Created by printmaker Jose Guadalupe Posada, La Catrina originated as a social critique on those who denied their Indigenous roots and imitated European fashions. The figure symbolizes the celebration of life and memories during the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico.
CATRINA
Etymology
The term 'Catrina' originates from the slang 'catrin,' which referred to a well-dressed man or woman.
Definition
La Catrina, also known as La Calavera Catrina, is a symbolic figure in Mexican visual arts depicted as a lively skeleton wearing a large plumed hat associated with early 20th-century upper-class European women's fashion. Created by printmaker Jose Guadalupe Posada, La Catrina serves as a social critique on individuals who denied their Indigenous roots and imitated European fashions.
Historical Context
La Catrina, originally named 'la calavera garbancera,' emerged as a pejorative term for those who rejected their Indigenous heritage and mimicked European styles. Jose Guadalupe Posada, born in 1852, created illustrations and lithographs featuring La Catrina, aiming to satirize Mexican natives who he believed were disconnected from their cultural roots.
Cultural Significance
La Catrina symbolizes the celebration of life and memories during the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico. Instead of mourning the deceased, the figure encourages honoring the legacy and impact individuals had during their lives. The elegant portrayal of death through La Catrina reflects a blend of Mexican traditions and European influences.
Related Concepts
La Catrina is closely associated with the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico, where families gather to remember and honor their deceased loved ones. The figure's representation as a lively skeleton challenges traditional views of death and serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of life.
See Also
A symbolic figure in Mexican visual arts representing a lively skeleton adorned in European fashion, originally created as a social critique.