Latin_America Death_(personification)

santa muerte

our lady of holy death (santa muerte) female deity of mexican folk religion, faith has been spreading in mexico , united states. since pre-columbian era mexican culture has maintained reverence towards death, can seen in widespread commemoration of day of dead. elements of celebration include use of skeletons remind people of mortality. cult of santa muerte indeed continuation of aztec cult of goddess of death mictecacihuatl (nahuatl lady of dead ) clad in spanish iconography.

in aztec mythology, mictecacihuatl queen of mictlan (mictlancihuatl), underworld, ruling on afterlife mictlantecuhtli, deity designated husband. role keep watch on bones of dead. presided on ancient festivals of dead, evolved aztec traditions modern day of dead after synthesis spanish cultural traditions. said preside on contemporary festival well. known lady of dead since believed born, sacrificed infant. mictecacihuatl represented defleshed body , jaw agape swallow stars during day.

san la muerte (saint death) skeletal folk saint venerated in paraguay, northeast of argentina , southern brazil. result of internal migration in argentina since 1960s veneration of san la muerte has been extended greater buenos aires , national prison system well. saint death depicted male skeleton figure holding scythe. although catholic church in mexico has attacked devotion of saint death tradition mixes paganism christianity , contrary christian belief of christ defeating death, many devotees consider veneration of san la muerte being part of catholic faith. rituals connected , powers ascribed san la muerte similar of santa muerte.

in brazilian religion umbanda, orixá omolu personifies sickness , death, , cure. image of death associated exu, lord of crossroads, rules midnight , cemeteries.