The Origins of Día de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday with origins dating back thousands of years to indigenous cultures, including the Aztec, Maya, and Toltec civilizations. These groups believed that death was not an end but a continuation of the spiritual journey. Rather than mourning, they celebrated the deceased through rituals that honored their lives and kept their memory alive.
When Spanish colonizers arrived in the Americas, they introduced Catholic beliefs, which merged with indigenous traditions. This cultural blending shaped the modern Day of the Dead celebration, observed annually on November 1st and 2nd—coinciding with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
Our Collaboration: Art and Tradition on Elemental Bottles
In celebration of Día de los Muertos, we partnered with a talented artist to create a limited-edition Day of the Dead design for our premium drinkware.
At Elemental, we believe that every piece of drinkware can tell a story. Our latest collaboration for Dia de los Muertos is no exception, as we proudly partner with a Nicaraguan-American artist to bring this vibrant tradition to life on our premium drinkware. By blending the rich symbolism of this cultural celebration with our commitment to quality craftsmanship, we aim to create drinkware that not only holds your beverage but also holds meaning.
Supporting up-and-coming artists is core to our mission at Elemental. We believe in empowering creators, giving them a platform to express their talents while sharing their art with a wider audience. This Día de los Muertos collaboration is just one example of how we merge culture, art, and utility into something truly special.
Meet The Artist
Jessica Molina is a Nicaraguan-American lettering artist and illustrator based in Dallas, Texas, known for her vibrant and expressive artwork. She's created work for national and global clients like Target, Snapchat, Sol de Janeiro, Toyota, and more. Jessica’s pieces weave together bold lettering with lush, feminine visuals, often exploring deep themes of self-love, empowerment, and personal growth. Her mission as an artist is to empower others to embrace their uniqueness, fully and unapologetically.
The Calavera: A Symbol of Life and Death
“The Calavera, or skull, is the central symbol of the Day of the Dead holiday, representing death and mortality and serving as a way to remember and celebrate loved ones who have passed away. Many people wear skull face paint in the holiday celebration, which inspired this illustration.” -Jessica Molina
One of the most iconic symbols of Día de los Muertos is the Calavera, or skull. While skulls might initially seem like morbid symbols, within this context, they represent both death and the beauty of life.
The Calavera gained prominence in Mexican art through the work of illustrator José Guadalupe Posada, whose satirical skull prints—particularly La Catrina—became a defining visual for the holiday. La Catrina, a female skeleton often dressed in elegant attire, reflects the idea that death comes for everyone, regardless of wealth or status.
Over time, this symbol has evolved into colorful face paintings and sugar skulls that embody the joy and reverence of Día de los Muertos.
This limited-edition design offers not just drinkware, but a piece of tradition, art, and remembrance to share with your loved ones. With a significant portion of the proceeds going to the artist, you're not only honoring culture with your purchase, but art and expression, as well.
Get yours now!
https://elementalbottles.com/collections/new-arrival/products/commuter-40oz-tumbler-calavera
https://elementalbottles.com/collections/new-arrival/products/classic-25oz-classic-bottle-calavera
