Dia de Los Muertos, which coincides with All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day is a holiday observed throughout Mexico, Central America and around the world. The celebration centers with remembering friends and family members who have passed away. The dead come to life through the memories of the living. On Dia de los Muertos, the dead are part of the community, awakened from their eternal sleep to share remembrance with their loved ones. Events typically take place from October 31st through November 2nd. Most believe that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31st, and the spirits of all deceased children (angelitos) are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 2nd, the spirits of adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them. Homes, cemeteries, and public spaces await the annual visit of the dearly departed. Traditions connected with the holiday include visiting graves with gifts and possessions, building private and public altars honoring the deceased with items such as marigolds, sugar skulls, and the favorite foods of the departed.

Origins

The origins of Dia De los Muertos can be traced back 2500 - 3000 years to the Aztec Festival dedicated to the goddess known as Mictecacihuatl “The Lady of the Dead,” which fell on the 9th month of the Aztec calendar during the corn harvest. Mesoamerican civilizations viewed death as the continuation of life. Instead of fearing death, they embraced it. To them, life was a dream and only in death did they become truly awake.

There were two ceremonies valued over and above all rituals of death throughout the 18 months of the Aztec calendar year. The 1st fell in the ninth month Mic-cailhuitontli that meant, “small feast of the dead,” the second took place during the following month, Hueymiccaihuitl, meaning the “great feast of the dead”.

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The most familiar symbol of Dia de los Muertos are calacas and calaveras (skeletons and skulls), which appear everywhere during the holiday: in candied sweets, as parade masks, and as sculpture art. Pre-Columbian civilizations excelled in stone sculptures and created striking carvings of their gods. The skull symbolized death and rebirth. Sugar skulls go back to the Colonial Period 18th century. Sugar skulls represented a departed soul, had the name written on the forehead and was placed on the home ofrendas or gravestone to honor the return of a particular spirit.

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Dia De Los Muertos revolves around ofrendas, or offerings, which are created through a visual display of altar-making and grave decorating. The offerings, a main focal point of the celebration, echo the dedication and distinct love that is presented toward the dearly departed. The altar includes the four main elements of nature – Earth, Wind, Water and Fire.

Earth is represented by the crop: The soul is fed by the various earthly aromas. Placing fruit or favorite family dishes on the altar provides nourishment for the beloved souls

Wind is represented by a moving object: Paper- Mache is commonly utilized to represent the echoes of the wind.

Water is placed in a container for the soul to quench its thirst after the long awaited journey to the altar. Water is also used for the means of purification.

Fire is represented by a wax candle: Each lit candle represents a loving soul, and an extra one is placed for the forgotten soul.

Copal – Incense burned to commemorate Pre-Columbian history

The Cempasuchitl-Marigold known as “The flower of the dead” blossoms in the valleys of Mexico during the months of October and November with a bright yellow color and is central to altar decorating. This flower aids the spirits to wander back

Pictures are widely used in honor of the individual you are paying homage to.

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