Huichol Beadwork Day of the Dead Skull, "Spiritual Deer Dance"

Higinio Hernández prepares for Day of the Dead celebrations with this spectacular Huichol skull. Werika, the double-headed eagle spreads her bright yellow wings on the forehead, while jicurí blossoms on the crown as white marra (deer) dance around the peyote flower, sacred to the Huichol people. Hernández affixes each tiny chakira bead on a lightweight synthetic base covered with beeswax as an adhesive. "This skull is about the spiritual dance of the deer according to our Wixarika (Huichol) traditions," explains the talented artisan.