La Calavera Catrina (Dapper Skeleton) is an iconic symbol of the holiday
The Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos or Día de Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated in Mexico and Latin America. The holiday involves family gathering to pray for family members and friends who have died. It is commonly portrayed as a day of celebration rather than mourning. Scholars believe that the holiday originates with Mexico's pre-hispanic cultures, such as the Aztecs and Mayans. The holiday begins on November 1, the day after Halloween, and corresponds to the fall equinox.
Pre-Hispanic Origins[]
Mictecacihuatl, the Aztec "lady of the dead"
When the Spaniards came to Mexico and introduced Catholicism to the indigenous people they blended traditions and beliefs to create their own customs. There was an Aztec festival dedicated to the goddess, Mictecacihuatl, with the Catholic influence. Mictecacihuatl is the “lady of the dead” and it is said that she watches over the bones of the dead and swallows the stars during the day. The church rejected the Aztec’s beliefs and turned it into All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day making it on 2 days to fall into the catholic calendar.
Traditions[]
Local traditions for the holiday include...
- Altars
- Marigolds (cempasúchil)
- Skeletons
- Sugar Skulls
- Literary Skulls
- Amaranth Skulls
- Bread of the Dead
- Chocolate Skeletons