Giorno dei Morti 亡靈節 エル・ディア・デ・ロス・ムエルトス

The Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de (los) Muertos) is a holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2, though other days, such as October 31 or November 6, may be included depending on the locality. The multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pay respects and remember friends and family members who have died. These celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember amusing events and anecdotes about the departed. It is widely observed in Mexico, where it largely developed, and is also observed in other places, especially by people of Mexican heritage. The observance falls during the Christian period of Allhallowtide. Some argue that there are Indigenous Mexican or ancient Aztec influences that account for the custom, though others see it as a local expression of the Allhallowtide season that was brought to the region by the Spanish; the Day of the Dead has become a way to remember those forebears of Mexican culture. The Day of the Dead is largely seen as having a festive characteristic.

In Italy, November 2 is All Souls' Day and is colloquially known as Day of the Dead or Giorno dei Morti. While many regional nuances exist, celebrations generally consist of placing flowers at cemeteries and family burial sites and speaking to deceased relatives. Some traditions also include lighting a red candle or lumino on the window sills at sunset and laying out a table of food for deceased relatives who will come to visit. Like other Day of the Dead traditions around the world, Giorno dei Morti is a day dedicated to honoring the lives of those who have died. Additionally, it is a tradition that teaches children not to be afraid of death.

The Venice Carnevale is not all about masks. Many local Italians prefer painted faces, historical costumes and recently even cosplay. Often, these costumes look much better than full masks and I do enjoy photographing them very much.

This year, my Italian friends came in costumes and painted faces from Giorno dei Morti, with Illenia as The Mourning Queen and Valentina as Bone Empress Catrina.

"La Calavera Catrina," or simply La Catrina, is an iconic skeletal figure dressed in elegant, often flamboyant attire. Created by Mexican illustrator José Guadalupe Posada and popularized by Diego Rivera, La Catrina serves as a satirical reminder that death is the great equalizer, transcending social status and wealth. Her refined appearance mocks the vanity of the living while inviting reflection on life’s impermanence. Over time, La Catrina has become a beloved emblem of the Day of the Dead, often represented through colorful face paint, costumes, and decorations.

The Mourning Queen, a less universally known but equally poignant figure, represents the solemnity and grief intertwined with the celebration. She embodies the respectful mourning for those who have passed, wearing somber attire that contrasts with the exuberance of La Catrina. This figure highlights the emotional depth of the Day of the Dead, reminding participants that honoring the dead involves both remembrance and acceptance. The Mourning Queen’s presence balances the festival’s lively spirit with a dignified homage to loss.

Together, the Bone Empress Catrina and the Mourning Queen symbolize the dual nature of the Day of the Dead: a celebration that embraces both the joy of life and the reality of death. They invite us to confront mortality with humor, grace, and respect. Through art, ritual, and storytelling, these figures inspire a profound cultural dialogue about death, memory, and identity that resonates far beyond Mexico’s borders.

In essence, the Mourning Queen and Bone Empress Catrina enrich the Day of the Dead by personifying its core themes—remembrance, equality in death, and the interplay of sorrow and celebration—making the festival a uniquely human and deeply moving experience.

The photos was taken at the recent Venice Carnevale, using 100% natural lighting only and against a grey wall.