SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — The Catrina is a long-standing symbol for Dia De Los Muertos and a local woman in San Angelo pours a year-round effort into personifying the cultural Mexican icon.
Aracely Marquez or known on as Catrina Aracely, sat down with CVHP to highlight and explain what she does as a part of CVHP’s Hispanic Heritage Month coverage. Hispanic Heritage Month is from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The Catrina is a long-standing symbol for Dia De Los Muertos. The elegant skeleton dates back to the early 1900s when Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe Posada sketched it with a clear intention in mind.
Marquez started dressing as a Catrina by just looking at pictures of other women doing it and was “very intrigued and mesmerized” by them. Her passion began with one head piece that she had a dream about. She then explained how long it takes to create her Catrina outfit and makeup.
“It does take me the full year, honestly, to think about these creations, because sometimes I’ll I want to add something, and then I’ll take something off,” said Marquez.
When asked why she does this, Marquez replied with:
“I do it also because, deep down, I want to make my family proud, even my family that had passed on. I hope they’re; they’re looking down and they’re really proud of me, of what I’m doing, representing our culture.“
For Marquez, it’s more than makeup or a gown, it’s about honoring the Mexican tradition. It is also for remembering loved ones and showing that even in death, life is worth celebrating.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
