<P> Rivera's mural depicts a culmination of 400 years of Mexico's major figures, which include himself, Posada, and his wife Frida Kahlo . Rivera took inspiration from the original etching and gave Calavera a body as well as more of an identity in her elegant outfit as she is poised between himself and Posada . The intent seemed to be to show the tradition of welcoming and comfort the Mexicans have with death and especially the identity of a Lady of the Dead, harking back to the heritage of the Aztec goddess Mictecacihuatl . As explained by curator David de la Torre from the LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, a Mexican - American museum and cultural center in Los Angeles, California, USA, Catrina has come to symbolize not only El Día de los Muertos and the Mexican willingness to laugh at death itself, but originally Catrina was an elegant or well - dressed woman, so it refers to rich people, de la Torre said . "Death brings this neutralizing force; everyone is equal in the end . Sometimes people have to be reminded of that ." </P> <P> The culture of La Calavera has ties to political satire and is also a well - kept tradition as the original was inspired by the polarizing reign of dictator Porfirio Díaz, whose accomplishments in modernizing and bringing financial stability to Mexico pale against his government's repression, corruption, extravagance and obsession with all things European . Concentration of fantastic wealth in the hands of the privileged few brewed discontent in the hearts of the suffering many, leading to the 1910 rebellion that toppled Diaz in 1911 and became the Mexican Revolution . </P> <P> She also symbolizes the contrasts between the upper and lower classes, for times were cruel . The social classes were extremely segmented and the highest class was the most fortunate, enjoying many privileges; in contrast, the lower classes were nearly invisible . To explain and rescue the folklore of worshiping the dead, while showing this off to high society, José Guadalupe Posada made caricatures of Death, one of these drawings being the famous calavera with an elegant hat, though only representing the head and bust with a sophisticated and skeletal essence . </P> <P> The calavera's ties to the past heritage of the Aztecs can be seen in various ways . The indigenous culture of skulls and the death - goddess Mictecacihuatl is common in pre-Columbian art . Lady of the Dead, Mictecacihuatl, was keeper of the bones in the underworld, and she presided over the ancient month - long Aztec festivals honoring the dead . Since the pre-Columbian era, Mexican culture has maintained a certain reverence towards death, which can be seen in the widespread commemoration of the Day of the Dead . With Christian beliefs superimposed on the ancient rituals, those celebrations have evolved into today's Day of the Dead . </P>

What is the significance of the day of the dead in mexico