Santa Muerte

 - K.Mennem February 13th, 2013
Editor: R. Hernandez

The name of Santa Muerte has frequently been tossed around the last few years of the drug war. Mainstream media often mistakenly portrays it as a death cult, one that asks for sacrifices of blood. Police on both sides of the border often search or detain people who have amulets or candles with the Santa Muerte image. Some of these assumptions may have earned justification by now, but most have not. Very few know much, if anything, about La Santa Muerte.

Santa Muerte has emerged into the mainstream in the last decade, despite having its roots in multiple cultures and beliefs. The most influential factors to the rise of this figure are Aztec Culture and Catholicism. Ties to Santeria and Voodoo have been made at times as well.

Indigenous people have combined their native beliefs with Catholicism for some time. Catholic beliefs were forced on Mesoamerican peoples as Spaniard invaders took control of their lands by force. The desire to hold onto original beliefs can be seen in La Santa Muerte.

A strong link that can be made to Mesoamerican Aztec beliefs is to the god Mictecacíhuatl. Mictecacíhuatl is the queen of the Aztec underworld. The queen also oversaw the festivals of the dead. These festivals have morphed into modern day Dia de Los Muertos festivals which can be seen across parts of Mexico and the US Southwest. The use of skeletons and death rituals have been a been part of the culture in the Americas since Pre-Colombian times.

The Catholic Church has labeled Santa Muerte at times as a death cult, claiming it has ties to Satan worship and no tie what so ever with Catholicism. The fact is that a high majority of Santa Muerte believers are devout Catholics. Most amulets and candles are found side by side with Catholic saints and crucifixes. This can be compared with Santeria in the Caribbean, as its followers are usually devout Catholics as well. Throughout much of the world, native religions are morphed in some way into Catholic beliefs. At first the church allowed it to some extent, only to help convert people. In modern day most of these beliefs are strictly banned and condemned.

Shrines have been destroyed across Mexico by federal forces, claiming it attracts drug traffickers and ignites violence. There is a clear connection that can be made to cartel and gang members to the Santa Muerte. This connection is that gang members feel the tie to a deity that may provide protection from death. They feel the same about Jesus Christ. They pray and make offers to the gods in hope that they will survive another day.


Offerings are made in different ways. Media often claims that murders are performed in order to please Santa Muerte, yet little evidence has shown this to be true. Usually followers offer cigars, liquor, flowers, or money. Candles are burnt and amulets are worn around necks and wrists. Tattoos are often added to many followers as well.

A recent FBI release claims that Santa Muerte promotes violence and murder. This assessment is untrue for most. Violent persons may be drawn to the shrine, yet it rarely is what causes them to act out the violence. Criminals have placed body parts of victims on shrines, causing talk of the evil the shrine has caused. Although these incidents happen, victims are rarely killed for the reason of sacrifice. Victims are typically killed for things such as drug debts, and after the fact, given to the alter.

People who have truly killed and dedicated the act to Santa Muerte, likely have more issues with mental illness than from being overpowered by the saint of death.

Images of death are not solely for hopeless souls and drug dealers, main stream culture embraces these things as well. A popular Mexico City artist, who goes by Saner, paints murals across Mexico often depicting images of death. His work ties in topics such as the drug trade, kidnappings, death, and the danger of the huge metropolis of Mexico City. (Saner art-image with mother and child)



Most current images of the saint are usually cheap depictions of the grim reaper. More original images actually portray the feminine aspect of the character and a look that often resembles a skeleton version of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Santa Muerte goes by many names. La Flaca is a popular one, meaning the skinny one. Senora Blanca, the white lady is used frequently. Santisima Muerte is a similar version used on many candles.

Followers of the saint can not be summed up as criminals and migrants, as police, military officers, and regular businessmen include Santa Muerte in their home rituals. The range of those who follow the saint are as vast as the area she graces.

During a recent trip to Mexico City, I visited a place many consider the mecca of Santa Muerte. (photo with golden shrine englassed) The shrine is located on the edge of Tepito, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Mexico City. It consists of an enclosed shrine area which has been attached to a home. Visitors give money, drugs, and other gifts to the shrine for good luck. Read full story on my Tepito visit

At the time of my visit there was a large group of homeless men sleeping nearby. The men had makeshift sidewalk beds directly across the street from the shrine. The older man in charge of the shrine kept watch as people passed by the shrine. The strong aroma of marijuana burned from a small bowl next to Santa Muerte.

On the other side of the historic zone of Mexico city lies another prominent street shrine. (above street photo) The shrine and store is located on Dr. Jose Maria Vertiz street, in the Colonia Doctores. Santa Muerte can be seen in an enclosed case, side by side with Jesus Malverde. Malverde is used by many as the patron saint of drug trafficking. A store lies behind the shrine, selling everything Santa Muerte.

Another sacred Santa Muerte dedication I visited, in Nogales, Mexico, is a mural situated right against the U.S. border fence. Migrants often come pay their last respects before attempting to cross the border. (photo at top of article) Migrants frequently pay respects to the saint of death, in hopes of being granted passage into the United States in one piece. The faith in Santa Muerte in these particular border crossings is pitted against the U.S. Border Patrol.

Many feel that by paying respect to death that you will be spared for more time. By not fearing death you can embrace it. Death is everywhere, especially in some places in Mexico. The attraction to Santa Muerte is obvious for those facing danger.

I have followed the rise of Santa Muerte beliefs over the last 5 years. I have visited numerous shrines, botanica stores, and visited frequently with strong believers. I may not believe that Santa Muerte exists as an entity, however the idea of respecting and embracing death has a strong grip on me. The grip is so strong that I have multiple Santa Muerte images tattooed on my body.





Make sure to click on photos for an enlarged and HD version, as many are photos I have taken on my travels.