What is the meaning behind alebrijes?

What is the meaning behind alebrijes?

The word Alebrije means “imaginary” or “fantasy,” describing a style of animal carvings with exceptional paint schemes. As a creative arts therapist, I found this symbolic art form to be fascinating as I came to know about its origins.

What are the 4 elements of alebrijes?

Pedro Linares’ grandson, Leonardo Linares Vargas said that he believes Alebrijes should contain qualities of animals from 3 out of the 4 elements (air, water, earth, fire).

What are the characteristics of alebrijes?

Alebrijes have horns, antlers, wings, fins, and some have them all at once! Though no two are exactly alike, all alebrijes have startlingly vibrant color markings. They feature detailed patterns of stripes, dots, geometric shapes, flowers, and flames. Many have bodies with exaggerated, twisted contortions.

Why are alebrijes important to Mexican culture?

Nowadays, the alebrije is considered an important element of Mexican surrealist art, mainly made of cardboard, paper or wood and believed to protect one’s home from evil spirits. They often take the form of fantastic animals or creatures of mythical origins.

What do alebrijes represent in Coco?

spiritual guardians
They are depicted as spiritual guardians. One the most imposing of the alebrijes in Coco is Pepita, a mashup of a lion and an eagle that guides Mama Imelda, Miguel’s great-great-grandmother who is key in getting him back to the Land of the Living.

What are the different alebrijes?

Alebrijes have different elements from different animals such as dragon bodies, bat wings, wolf teeth, deer antlers, fish fins, and dog eyes. They’re also painted with vibrant colors and feature detailed patterns. They come in different shapes, sizes, and have faces that exhibit a range of emotions.

Do Mexicans believe in alebrijes?

Alebrijes are not actually something Mexicans believe in. Them being spiritual guides in the afterlife was just Pixar taking creative liberties with a very popular type of folk art in Mexico.

How are alebrijes connected to the Day of the Dead?

Alebrijes are represented in Mexican folk art as vibrant, fantastical creatures that often resemble dragons, lizards and other mystical creatures. In the animated Disney film about Day of the Dead, Coco, alebrijes are “spirit animals” that guide the spirits of ancestors on their journey.

Are alebrijes associated with Dia de los Muertos?

Presented in Coco as spirit animals, alebrijes, fantastical creatures made out of paper maché or carved from wood, are not specifically associated with Día de Muertos in Mexican culture.

Are alebrijes only animals?

The Alebrijes are imaginary creatures that have elements from different animals such as dragon bodies, bat wings, wolf teeth and dog eyes. Colorfully painted, they were originally made with papier mache but nowadays they are also wood carved.

Are alebrijes still popular today?

Oaxacan alebrijes have eclipsed the Mexico City version, with a large number of stores in and around the city of Oaxaca selling the pieces, and it is estimated that more than 150 families in the same area make a living making the figures.