One of the ways I feel we as humans differentiate from animals is that we are conscious that someday we’ll die. Around the world we can find hundreds of different celebrations to honor the dead. “Día de los Muertos” is a way to remember and honor those who have departed with a twist that lightens up the concept of death with mockery and acceptance. It turns what could be considered morbid into a feast of joy, happiness and a wonderful way to celebrate memories and the life of our loved ones!
This is a Mestizo celebration where old Aztec traditions of venerating the death towards the beginning of the summer were blended with the celebration of ‘All Saints Day’ (Nov 1) and ‘All Souls Day’ (Nov 2), which were previously pagan traditions celebrating the end of harvest season in Europe.
It is believed that the gates of heaven open and the spirit of the dead visit their families on November 1st and leave on November 2nd. The first day the spirit of children (‘angelitos’) reunite with their families and the second day is the day for the spirits of adults to do so.
Altar by TravelingKim and her family 💕💀💐💀💕
This tradition is generally celebrated in Central and South Mexico, and originally was not celebrated in Northern Mexico since it was perceived as pagan and instead celebrated ‘All Saints Day’ like other parts world. In the 60’s ‘Día de los Muertos’ became an observed holiday nationwide to unite the country. Nowadays is considered more cultural than religious.
To celebrate this holiday families gather to make beautiful altars to make the spirits happy and bring protection to the family, and the building of this also brings them closer. With the picture of the departed soul as a starting point for the creation of the altar ofrendas (offerings) are the next step: pan de muerto (Day of the Dead bread), candies & sweets, the departed’s favorite food, along with flowers (especially cempasuchil = Mexican marigold), candles and decorations like the calaveras (skulls), which are iconic of this celebration.
Sugar skulls as part of the decoration of Día de los Mueros altar.
One of the decorations that get most kids excited about is the sugar skulls. This art was brought to Mexico by Italian missionaries in the 1600s to create decorations in the shape of angels to adorn church’s altars. Mexican people learned and took the angel shapes to another level: skulls. The intention of the creation of sugar skulls is to represent a departed soul by inscribing their name on the forehead.
On the evening of November 2nd families go to the cemetery in order to clean the tombs of loved ones, music is played to honor the spirits and stories of them as told as well to celebrate their life. That evening is a total feat at the cemetery!
Honoring family members who left before us.
This year my family and I have decided to honor family members that have departed before us, from our grandparents to our special pets, they’ve touched our hearts and we celebrate their lives!
Honoring family and pets who left before us.
I'd also like to invite you to watch a little short film about this celebration written and directed by Ashley Graham, Kate Reynolds and Lindsey St. Pierre and have a wonderful Dia de Muertos!
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS On the Day of the Dead in a small village, bright balloons fly and firecrackers pop. Unfortunately for one little girl, there is only sadness at her recently deceased mother's grave. But as she wipes away tears, she is suddenly dragged to the land of the dead!