The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, in particular the Central and South regions, and acknowledged around the world in other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey. In Mexican culture, death is viewed as a natural part of the human cycle. Mexicans view it not as a day of sadness but as a day of celebration because their loved ones awake and celebrate with them.
Why do we celebrate Day of the Dead?
The Day of the Dead holiday honors the dead with festivals and lively celebrations, which typically last for three days (October 31-November 2). On this holiday, Mexicans remember and honor their deceased loved ones. It’s not a gloomy or morbid occasion, rather it is a festive and colorful holiday celebrating the lives of those who have passed on. The holiday originated several thousand years ago with indigenous cultures such as the Aztec, Maya, Purépecha, and Totonac. Rituals celebrating the lives of ancestors had been observed for as long as 3,000 years and were celebrated around the time of the summer solstice. The festivities were tied to the fall harvest and the cyclical nature of life symbolized by the first death at harvest time. Spanish conquistadors took issue with the ritual practices, finding them sacrilegious. They attempted to replace the rituals with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, which take place in early November to align with the Catholic holidays. The indigenous traditions proved resilient though and survived, combined with the Spanish holidays.
When is Day of the Dead?
The Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) holiday occurs over the course of two days each year from November 1-2. November 1st is known as Día de los Inocentes (All Saints Day) and commemorates babies and deceased children. November 2nd is known as Día de los Muertos and commemorates all adults who have passed away. The dates coincide with the Catholic observances of All Saints Day and All Souls Day, though they are distinctly different holidays.
How long does Day of the Dead last?
The holiday festivities for Día de los Muertos typically last two to three days. In most regions of Mexico, the Day of the Dead is celebrated for two days: November 1st and 2nd. Festivities kick off on November 1st to honor deceased children and infants. November 2nd is the major day set aside to honor deceased adult family members. In some locations, such as Patzcuaro, the celebration is expanded to three days from October 31st to November 2nd.
What happens on each day of Day of the Dead?
There are some specific traditions associated with each day of the multi-day holiday. Here’s a quick breakdown of what happens on each day:
October 31: Known as Halloween in many cultures, this day is dedicated to honoring dead children and infants. People decorate altars with toys, candies, and other items loved by children.
November 1: On this day, All Saints Day, people decorate graves and tombs of loved ones with flowers and wreaths. This day focuses on deceased children and infants.
November 2: The Day of the Dead is celebrated to honor deceased adult family members. People decorate home altars and visit gravesites, bringing food, wine, music, and celebration.
What do people do to celebrate Day of the Dead?
There are many festive Day of the Dead activities celebrated in both public spaces and private homes, including:
- Creating colorful altars (called ofrendas) with photos, food, flowers, and special objects belonging to deceased loved ones
- Visiting and decorating gravesites with marigolds (cempasúchil) and other flowers and offerings
- Making elaborate tissue paper decorations (called papel picado)
- Eating sugar skulls (calaveras de azúcar) and other food and treats laid out as offerings on graves and altars
- Dressing up in costumes and masks
- Parading through streets and cemeteries
- Holding special Day of the Dead events, contests, and festivals
- Drinking atole and champurrado, thick hot chocolate drinks
- Leaving possessions of deceased loved ones out for them
- Listening to music and dancing
What is the meaning of Altars for Day of the Dead?
Altars (ofrendas) are an important part of Day of the Dead celebrations. They provide a space for families to honor and commemorate their deceased loved ones. An altar for Día de los Muertos typically displays pictures of the deceased, thoughtful gifts for them, and their favorite foods and objects. Having an altar is a way to invite the soul of a loved one back to the realm of the living during the holiday so their families can commune with them once more.
What goes on an Altar for Day of the Dead?
Traditional items on a Day of the Dead altar include:
- Photographs of deceased loved ones
- Marigolds or cempasúchil flowers – said to guide spirits back
- Candles and incense
- Skulls made from sugar or chocolate
- Favorite foods and drinks of the deceased
- Toys and treats for deceased children
- Possessions, clothing, or tools of the deceased
- Religious figurines, images, prayers
- Festive decorations like paper banners
- Gravestone etchings or dirt from cemetery
- Water and salt for purification
- Copal tree resin incense
- Pan de Muertos sweetbread
- A wash area with soap, water, and towels
These items all play an important role in guiding the spirit back to visit and nourish the soul. Family members feel the deceased relative is honored and pleased by the offerings and will guard them in the afterlife.
What are sugar skulls?
Sugar skulls (calaveras de azúcar or alfeñiques) are edible skull-shaped decorations made from granulated white sugar. They are decorated with colorful icings and foil patterns to give them a festive look. Traditional sugar skulls have names etched on the forehead representing the deceased family member they honor. Sugar skulls are placed on Day of the Dead altars and gravesites as offerings and to represent the sweetness of life.
What do marigolds represent on Day of the Dead?
Marigolds (called cempasúchil in Mexico) are strongly associated with Day of the Dead celebrations. The bright orange flowers are thought to attract the spirits and guide them back to the land of the living. Marigold petals are sometimes scattered from the altar to the door to help spirits find their way. Their strong fragrance also masks any bad smells spirits may encounter. Marigolds can be used to decorate altars, gravesites, processions, and other holiday decor.
What is papel picado?
Papel picado is decorative paper cut into elaborate designs, often in the shape of skeletons, skulls, flowers, and other Day of the Dead motifs. The tissue paper banners are commonly strung up for holiday parties, cemetery visits, processions, and street festivals. Making papel picado is a Mexican folk art. The paper can range from simple cutouts to intricate lace-like designs requiring skill and patience.
What is pan de muerto?
Pan de muerto (bread of the dead) is a traditional sweet yeast bread baked during Day of the Dead season. It’s topped with bone-shaped pieces of dough representing the deceased. Sugar is sprinkled on top along with other decorations like dots or stripes representing tears and bones. Pan de muerto is left as an offering for the visiting spirits. The bread’s circular shape represents the cycle of life.
Some popular Day of the Dead riddles and their answers:
Q: What flowers are commonly used to guide spirits back from the grave?
A: Marigolds
Q: I am edible and made of sugar, often decorated with icing in Day of the Dead celebrations. What am I?
A: Sugar skull
Q: What drink warms up Day of the Dead celebrations?
A: Atole or champurrado (hot chocolate)
Q: Ofrendas are set up with this to remember and honor the dead. What is it?
A: An altar
Q: What holiday is Day of the Dead connected to?
A: Halloween or All Saint’s Day
Q: What represents the sweetness of life during Día de Muertos?
A: Sugar skulls
Q: Where are marigolds placed to guide spirits back from the dead?
A: In a path from the cemetery to home
Q: What festive decorations are commonly made from tissue paper?
A: Papel picado
Q: What is the name of the traditional bread made for Day of the Dead?
A: Pan de muerto
Q: What holiday coincides with Day of the Dead on November 1st?
A: All Saint’s Day
Q: What color are cempasúchil flowers associated with Día de Muertos?
A: Orange
Q: What are Day of the Dead altars called in Spanish?
A: Ofrendas
Q: What is the name of the resin incense burned during celebrations?
A: Copal
Q: What Spanish name translates to “bread of the dead”?
A: Pan de muerto
Q: What represents deceased relatives during Day of the Dead celebrations?
A: Sugar skulls
Q: Which day specifically honors deceased adults?
A: November 2nd
Q: What is the female skeletal figure sometimes seen during the holiday?
A: La Catrina
Q: What do tissue paper decorations represent during the holiday?
A: Prayers and celebration
Q: Where are some of the lively Day of the Dead celebrations held?
A: In cemeteries
Q: What Mexican holiday is Day of the Dead connected to?
A: All Souls’ Day, November 2nd
Q: What keeps bad spirits away according to Day of the Dead beliefs?
A: Marigold flowers
Q: What is placed on the ground to help guide spirits back?
A: A trail of marigold petals
Q: What represents mourning, death, and rebirth?
A: Day of the Dead
Q: Which day honors deceased infants and children?
A: November 1st
Q: When offerings are left out, they are believed to do what in the afterlife?
A: Nourish the soul
Q: What Spanish name means “Day of the Dead”?
A: Día de Muertos
Q: What is the sweet Mexican drink typically served during the holiday?
A: Champurrado (chocolate atole)
Q: What flower is believed to guide spirits back to the living?
A: Marigolds
Q: What festive decorations symbolize prayers?
A: Papel picado
Q: Which baked good is decorated with bone pieces and sprinkles?
A: Pan de muerto bread
Q: What decorates the paths to guide spirits?
A: Marigold flowers
Q: What represents the sweetness of life and death?
A: Sugar skulls
Q: What holiday coincidence made the church add All Saints & All Souls days?
A: Existing indigenous celebrations around the same time
Q: What is placed on graves as an offering for spirits?
A: Flowers, food, possessions of the dead
Q: What do the decorations and festivities symbolize during the holiday?
A: Celebration of life
Q: What feeling does Day of the Dead evoke?
A: Happiness and celebration (not sadness)
Q: What do people do in preparation for Day of the Dead?
A: Clean gravesites, make altars, decorate homes
Q: What is placed on graves to honor the dead?
A: Marigolds, food, possessions
Q: What do marigolds symbolize?
A: Guiding spirits back for Day of the Dead
Q: What holiday involving saints influenced Day of the Dead?
A: All Saints’ Day
Q: What represents mourning and rebirth?
A: Sugar skulls
Q: What do people do to remember loved ones?
A: Make altars, leave offerings, decorate graves
Q: What Spanish name is the holiday known as?
A: Día de Muertos
Q: What is Madrid Streaming doing to celebrate Day of the Dead?
A: Offering Día de Muertos themed movies and shows to stream as part of the festivities!
Conclusion
The Day of the Dead offers a fascinating look into Mexican cultural traditions surrounding death and commemoration. The holiday focuses on celebrating life and remembering loved ones who have passed away, rather than mourning their loss. The festivities create meaningful rituals to process grief and loss while finding joy and laughter through memories. The riddles, offerings, music, and decorations all help guide spirits back to visit the living once more during this time. With its origins thousands of years ago, Día de Muertos remains an important Mexican cultural celebration to this day.
