Día de los Muertos is a Mexican celebration of life rather than death. Yes, the focus of this holiday is on beloved family members and pets who have left this physical world, but it's a time to honor and remember our loved ones as they were in this life.
Celebrated from November 1-2, Día de los Muertos was initially observed by the Aztecs in central and southern Mexico. It is believed that late in the night on October 31, the souls of children are first to return to earth. They are reunited with their families during this time, then the souls of adults follow the day after. The souls of pets also return.
It is a time of love and healing among family members, both living and deceased through remembrance and connection.
Traditions involve the preparation of special foods that include a sweet bread called 'pan de muerto' and decorative sugar skulls. Also traditional are the creation of altars, arrangements of flowers, and specific makeup and costumes. Altars for deceased family members include photos, favorite possessions, foods they enjoyed eating in life, trinkets, and flowers - particularly marigolds which are believed to guide spirits to their altars.
Skulls (calaveras) and skeletons (calacas) have become the symbols of Día de los Muertos, but they are festive rather than frightening. Decorated sugar skulls are placed on altars and are also served as edible treats. People dress in costume as skeletons and paint their faces to look like sugar skulls, women often adorn their hair with flowers.
In addition to Mexico, Día de los Muertos is celebrated in a number of Latin countries and continues to grow in popularity in the USA. Traditions and customs differ in each country and/or region, but the core of the celebration remains the same.
Celebrate Día de los Muertos
Even though this is a festive and colorful celebration in Mexico in particular, it is a strong spiritual experience for families that one should respect. Take time to delve deeper into the meaning and traditions behind the celebration and find ways that you can incorporate some of its practices into your own celebration.
Two animated films that will introduce children (and adults) to Día de los Muertos are Coco (2017 Pixar Animation Studios) and The Book of Life (2014 Reel FX Creative Studios and 20th Century Fox).
For an in-depth, excellent website about Día de los Muertos, visit:
- Barbara 🙃
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