Día de Muertos (Spanish for “Day of the Dead”) is a time-honored holiday when families and friends gather to celebrate the lives of their departed loved ones, and the brand new Barbie® Día de Muertos Doll honors the traditions and symbols often seen throughout the annual occasion. Pre-orders just launched, and high demand has already sold the doll out.

But don’t worry, as Mattel is expecting to get more in stock real soon.

Día de Muertos takes place on November 1^st and 2^nd, coinciding with the observances of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. This colorful and lively holiday is filled with music, food, sweets, offerings, and flowers. While the Día de Muertos Barbie® Doll takes inspiration from the modern version of this celebration, the tradition has roots that go back thousands of years.

Barbie® doll’s long, ruffled, embroidered dress is embellished with heart and butterfly details. The butterflies, aside from being a symbol of death and rebirth, are also a reference to another annual event. Every year, coinciding with the Día de Muertos celebration, hundreds of millions of monarch butterflies arrive in Mexico, at the end of their seasonal migration. Many view these butterflies as representing or containing the souls of their departed loved ones.

Another unique feature you’ll note is Barbie® doll’s face, which is painted in a traditional skull design. The stylized calavera (skull) depiction is another colorful part of this annual celebration, during which people of all ages either have their faces painted or wear intricately detailed skull masks. Barbie® doll also wears a crown with monarch butterflies and bright marigolds – flowers which are often placed alongside ofrendas (offerings) on altares (altars) made especially for the occasion in honor of the departed.

Specially designed packaging makes the doll perfect for displays and gifting. If you take the doll out of the package, you’ll find a doll stand to help with her display, as well as a Certificate of Authenticity for this Black Label® doll. 

Head over to Mattel’s website to see many more images and join the wait list.