Calaca

Tracing their origins from Maya civilization Mayan imagery, Calaca's are frequently shown with marigold flowers and foliage.

As with other aspects of the Day of the Dead festival, Calaca's are generally depicted as joyous rather than mournful figures.

This draws on the Mexican belief that no dead soul likes to be thought of sadly, and that death should be a joyous occasion.

Mexican political lithographer José Guadalupe Posada's works inspired the modern interpretations of the calaca.

[2] Calaca-like figures can be seen in the Tim Burton film Corpse Bride, Neil Gaiman's movie Coraline, video games such as LittleBigPlanet (2008) and Guacamelee!