Dia de Los Muertos
By: Isabella Bautista
Imagine this: you’re in Mexico City on a family vacation and all of the sudden, you see a whole parade of people in brightly colored dresses with skulls painted on their faces. “Why are these people dressed like this?” you may ask. Those “Catrinas” and “Catrines” are celebrating a cultural holiday called el Dia de Los Muertos (the Day of the Dead). This holiday originated in Mexico and takes place on November 2nd, November 1st being Todos los Santos. Both these dates celebrate the lives and deaths of those who have passed, although Todos Los Santos is primarily for children and babies.
This holiday is founded on the belief that after death all spirits go to Mictlan, also known as the Land of the Dead. To cross the bridge to Mictlan, one would need a Xoloitzquintli to guide them. Followers of this holiday also believe that on November second, their dead loved ones come to visit them given they set out all of the necessary objects on their ofrendas (offerings). These ofrendas can range from large, elaborate displays, to a simple single leveled table setting. Nonetheless, these altars usually hold 4 key elements; Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. Earth is usually represented by the favorite foods of the deceased and Cempazuchitl flowers, which have a strong scent and are believed to lead the dead back home. |
Fire is represented by candles and air by the colorful papel picado. Water can be either water or the favorite drinks of the loved one. Other important objects are sugar (to symbolize purity), pan de muerto, and a picture of those who have passed.
These holidays are celebrated at home and at cemeteries, where the living family members go to clean the gravesite, bring flowers, and have a picnic. El Dia de los Muertos was created as a holiday to celebrate both life and death, a topic that many would deen unusual or dark. Those who celebrate believe that people should not be afraid of life and death as it is a beautiful process.
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