Dancing Skeleton Mexican Trick: How Does it Work?

The Magic Revealed: The Truth About the Dancing Skull Trick

Reading time : 1 minute, Discovery Chepe Id-521-ENT
Published in 11-07-2024

Photo: Francisco Manzo Youtube Channel
Although it is a deep-rooted tradition in Mexico and is strongly associated with the Day of the Dead festivities, it is possible to find similar versions of this type of trick in other cultures and countries in Latin America.

The street vendors of Mexico are famous for their business skills and magic tricks. One of the most popular is the dancing skull. Have you ever wondered how they do it?

The mystery revealed
Although it may seem like magic, the dancing skull trick has a fairly simple scientific explanation. The key lies in a small mechanism that is performed with a very thin thread that is almost invisible to the spectators.

The Most Fun Magic Trick: The Dancing Skeleton

Photo: Iffany

How does the mechanism work?
Thread: The skull hangs from a thread horizontally, not vertically.
Placement: One end of the thread is usually attached to a wall with a nail, chewing gum, or even a bottle of water to provide resistance. The other end of the thread is handled by a collaborator, placed in a strategic position to pull the thread and make the movements that the "main handler" asks of the skull.
Discretion: To make the movements of the thread, the collaborator places his hand in his pocket and covers it with some clothing.

The role of distraction
In addition to the mechanism, the charlatans use a series of distraction techniques so that the public does not notice the movement that activates the trick. For example:
1-Fast and energetic language: The charlatan speaks very quickly and uses very striking language to capture the audience's attention and divert their gaze from the mechanism.
2-Exaggerated movements: He makes exaggerated movements with his hands and body to hide the movement that activates the trick.
3-Music and sounds: He uses music and sounds to create an atmosphere of fun and hide any noise that could give away the mechanism.

A magic trick
Although the dancing skull trick has a logical explanation, it is still a sign of the creativity and ingenuity of Mexicans. It is a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation, and that continues to fascinate children and adults alike.

The exact origin of the dancing skull trick is a bit difficult to pinpoint, as it is lost in oral traditions and the evolution of street performances in Mexico. However, we can make some educated guesses based on Mexican culture and the history of street performances.