"Days of the Dead" photographs

A skull covered in marigolds... in the San Fernando Cemetery in Mexico City... (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

"Powder" participates in the annual Halloween dog parade, wearing a homemade python costume... (REUTERS/Carlos Barria)

Giant kites made by residents of Sumpango, Guatemala, for celebrating All Saints... (JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

A view of Nueva Esperanza cemetery during "Day of the Dead" celebrations on the outskirts of Lima, Peru... (REUTERS/Mariana Bazo)

The photos above are selections from The Big Picture:

From October 31st through November 2nd, a number of festivals, holidays and solemnities take place, all loosely related and revolving around remembrance of the dead. Halloween, Samhain, All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day, the Day of the Dead and other festivals trace their origins back to Celtic, Aztec, Roman and Christian traditions.