What is a sugar skull?

A sugar skull is a molded decoration for Day of the Dead. It is usually created out of unflavored sugar cane with the name of a deceased person written on it. They are sometimes flavored with vanilla or made of chocolate, but they are always brightly-colored.

Day of the Dead is a Mexican adaptation of the Catholic holidays of All Soul's Day and All Saint's Day on Nov. 1 and 2. Mexican people believe that the souls of the dead come to reunite with their families for those days and decorate elaborate family altars for the return, with the sugar skulls serving as a welcome home.