Día de los Muertos
When we lose a loved one at times, it feels like we may never see them again, our world becomes filled with sadness and sorrow, and we enter mourning.
Typically for most cultures, after a funeral for a loved one becomes the last night we perform a ritual on their behalf.
However, during Día de los Muertos—a holiday primarily celebrated in Mexican culture- this holiday dissolves the boundary between the spirit world and the real world and participants spend it in joyful celebration to reunite, remember and honor loved ones who have since passed and celebrate their life.
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What is Día de los Muertos?
Día de los Muertos, also known as The Day of the Dead, is a holiday that reunites the living and the dead. It is celebrated over two days every year, from October 31 to November 2.
Although widely known as Día de los Muertos, two additional holidays are celebrated during this time:
Día de los Angelitos—Spirits of the Children, celebrated at midnight on November 1
Día de los Difuntos—Spirits of the Adults takes place at midnight on November 2.
Día de los Muertos—a larger public holiday taking place at noon on November 2.
This holiday is primarily celebrated in Mexico or by those who are of Mexican descent. These participants welcome back the souls of their deceased loved ones and celebrate their lives and return with food and colourful celebration.
Tracing back the roots of this holiday, you will find the influence of Mesoamerican rituals by celebrating one's ancestors, European religion and Spanish culture—which celebrates All Souls Day. The Spanish brought All Souls Day rituals to Mexico in the early 1500s.
It is unlike most holidays were mourning the death of a loved one is instead interchanged with a celebration of their life and your reunion with them!
How is Día de los Muertos Celebrated?
The major premise of this holiday is to celebrate and honor the life of loved ones who have passed, and in this culture, it is believed one reunites and welcomes back the soul of the deceased.
Offerings (ofrendas) are created either at an individual’s grave site or via an altar at one’s home to honor them and celebrate their loved ones. By creating these offerings in the taste of the deceased individuals, it is believed that these actions will encourage loved ones will hear their prayers and smell their favorite foods and join in the celebrations.
On Día De Los Muertos, the souls of the dead awaken and return to the living world to reunite with their loved ones via their altars, and the living loved ones to treat the deceased as honored guests to their very own celebrations. Typically you will find altars with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of those who are no longer there and an assortment of the favourite foods and drinks of the individuals they are remembering.
During contemporary Day of the Dead festivities, people commonly wear skull masks and eat sugar candy moulded into the shape of skulls.
For Día de los Angelitos, you will typically find the departed child’s favourite snacks, candies, toys, and photographs to encourage a visit from their departed children. The names of the departed children will often be written on a sugar skull.
For Día de los Difuntos, the altar item takes on a more adult-like theme with tequila, pan de Muerto, mezcal, pulque and jars of Atole. Families will also play games together, reminisce about their loved ones, and dance while the village band plays in their town.
Meaning of the Symbols of Día de los Muertos
As with most cultures, rituals and celebrations, Día de Los Muertos contains a great deal of symbolism within this celebration, its practices and the items used in celebration—let’s take a look at the most common ones:
Mexican Marigolds (Flor de Muerto): Marigolds are believed to be the pathways that guide the spirits to their Ofrendas. The flower’s vibrant colours and scent attract the departed souls as they return to feast on their favorite foods. They are called “Flor de Muerto” (Spanish for Flower of Dead), and they symbolize the beauty and fragility of life. Marigold flowers include around 60 annuals and perennials that are native to Mexico and Central America.
Offerings (Ofrenda)
While the most recognizable aspects of the Day of the Dead are the representations of skulls and skeletons, the tradition that holds the most meaning is the Ofrenda (Spanish for offering). The Ofrenda is what the whole celebration is about; it’s a collection of offerings dedicated to the person being honored.
A brightly colored Oilcloth covers the table and on top of that sits a collection of photographs and personal items of the departed person. The lower portion of the altar is where the offerings are placed, from traditional Mexican cuisine to other items that represent the honoured person’s particular tastes.
Sugar Skull (Calavera): Ther Sugar Skull is one of the more iconic symbols for the Day of the Dead than the skull, or “Calavera.” The “Calavera” is usually an ornately decorated representation of a skull, often featuring flowers, animals, and other decorations. During the holiday, this imagery is seen everywhere, from Ofrendas to paper crafts and even to cartoons in newspapers. In a way, the Calavera has become an embodiment of the holiday itself.
Bread of the dead (Pan de Muerto): It is one the most important elements of the day. The form of this bread is particularly interesting. The circle at the top represents the skull, while the large parts at the top represent the bones. The flavour of Azahar, derived from a citrus flower, represents the memory of the deceased.
Candles: These have a meaning of light, faith and hope. If four candles are placed on a cross, they represent the four cardinal points so that the soul can be oriented until it finds its way from the cemetery to the house.
Water and Salt: Water is offered to the deceased to quench their thirst after their long journey, while salt is an element for the purification of souls
