Hand drawn and rendered…

Saint Death (also known as La Santísima Muerte, and Doña Sebastiana), is a religious figure who receives petitions for love, luck, and protection. Although the Catholic Church has attacked the worship of Saint Death as a pagan tradition, many people insist on praying to this figure for miracles. Those who pray to this figure are often seeking the recovery of health, stolen items, or kidnapped family members.

Saint Death is often depicted as a female figure, dressed as a grim reaper with a scythe and scales; also she can be dressed in a long white satin gown and a golden crown. In this form, many devotees view her as a variation of the Virgin Mary.
Some believe the cult of Saint Death originated from ancient witchcraft; however, Saint Death may have his/her roots in pre-Christian beliefs of the Aztec Native Americans who worshiped a similar figure by the name of Mictlantecuhtli, the god of death, along with his wife, Mictecacihuatl.

The Day of the Dead (El Día de los Muertos in Spanish) is a holiday celebrated mainly in Mexico and by people of Mexican heritage. Family and friends gather to pray for and remember friends and relatives who have died. Many people believe that during the Day of the Dead, it is easier for the souls of the departed to visit the living.

During the period most people visit the cemeteries where their loved ones are buried and decorate their graves with ofrendas, or offerings, often including orange marigolds called “cempasúchitl” (now usually called “Flor de Muerto” (“Flower of the Dead”)). These flowers are thought to attract souls of the dead to the offerings.

A common symbol of the holiday is the skull (colloquially called calavera), which celebrants represent in masks, and foods such as sugar skulls, which are inscribed with the name of the recipient on the forehead. Sugar skulls are gifts that can be given to both the living and the dead. Some people believe that possessing “dia de los muertos” items can bring good luck. Many people get tattoos or have dolls of the dead to carry with them.

The artist recommends a lighter colour tee for maximum detail. A darker tee will hide the black line work.