what does the sugar in sugar skulls represent?

The sugar in sugar skulls represents sweetness and positivity amidst the theme of death. Sugar skulls symbolize a celebration of life and memory of those who have passed away, conveying that the end of life can be happy and sweet rather than sorrowful. They are a representation of the cyclical nature of life and a way to honor and remember the deceased, often placed on altars during the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) festivities. The sugar used historically is a moldable paste called alfeñique, which ties back to pre-Columbian traditions where skulls were offerings to gods and symbols of the spiritual journey after death. Thus, the sugar element softens and sweetens the idea of death, making it a celebration rather than a somber event.