From Posada’s Catrina to AI: How Día de Muertos Went Viral

Every year around November 1 and 2, Catrina face paint fills social feeds. Behind the look is a century-old print and a celebration that UNESCO lists as heritage of humanity. Here is the short history, and how AI video fits in.

La Calavera Catrina

Around 1910–1913, Mexican printmaker José Guadalupe Posada etched an elegant skeleton wearing a lavish hat, a joke about people who pretend to be what they are not. Decades later, Diego Rivera painted her in a mural and gave her the name La Catrina. The original print is now in the public domain, and she is the best-known face of Día de Muertos.

A celebration listed by UNESCO

In 2008, UNESCO inscribed the indigenous festivity dedicated to the dead on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Families build ofrendas with candles, photos and orange cempasúchil (marigold) flowers to welcome their loved ones home.

"Día de muertos IA"

In Mexico, Google Trends shows searches for "dia de muertos ia" reaching their 30-day high in the last week of October 2026. Google also suggests "maquillaje de catrina ia", "como hacer un video de dia de muertos con ia" and "dia de muertos mascotas ia". People want the Catrina look without spending an hour on face paint.

4 respectful ideas

1. The glow-up. Post your normal selfie first, then the Catrina.
2. The family set. Make one for each adult in the family and share them on November 2.
3. The ofrenda caption. Pair the clip with a few words about someone you remember.
4. Keep it warm. Día de Muertos celebrates loved ones; it is not Halloween horror.

With TrendSwap's Day of the Dead AI Video Generator you upload one selfie and get the clip with music. Step by step: how to make a Day of the Dead AI video.