Seventh graders drew their interpretations of the Aztec Lady of the Dead, Mictecacihautl, queen of the underworld using craypas on black paper. I recounted one version her story, her role in the Day of the Dead in Ecuador, and common descriptions of her without showing at any visual images. When I was researching some legends related to Ecuador for GET, I was struck by her description, as a kind of analogue to the Greek goddess Persephone, and the differences in each conception. I loved the frequently described image of Mictecacihautl's "jaw agape to swallow the stars" and used that phrase as our drawing prompt. We discussed the symbolism of her role in the cycle of death and life, and students came up with some striking images of her. These are on display in the Upper School hallway.
