INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT DIA DE LOS MUERTOS MEXICO
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT DIA DE LOS MUERTOS MEXICO
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) originated in Mexico centuries ago and is still widely celebrated today. This holiday is a blend of pre-Hispanic indigenous beliefs and Spanish Catholic beliefs. Many people around the world, even if they are not directly connected to Mexican culture, are drawn to the concept and imagery of Mexico’s Day of the Dead, so the holiday seems to continually gain in popularity as more people learn about it. Here are some interesting facts about Dia de los Muertos:
What is Dia de los Muertos?
Dia de los Muertos is a holiday for remembering and honoring those who have passed. It is a festive, loving ritual, full of joy and rememberance. Assured that the dead would be insulted by mourning or sadness, Dia de los Muertos celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed in life.
When is Dia de los Muertos?
The Day of the Dead falls on November 1 and 2 of each year, coinciding with the Catholic holidays All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
Although November 2 is the official date for Day of the Dead, it is celebrated between October 31 (All Hallows Eve) and November 2. Traditionally, November 1 is the day for honoring deceased children and November 2 is the day for honoring deceased adults. Usually the preparations (and some festivities) start even earlier than that. So really, the “Day” of the Dead can also be called the “Days” of the Dead because the holiday spans more than one day.
How is Dia de los Muertos celebrated?
The most familiar symbol of Dia de los Muertos may be the calacas and calaveras (skeletons and skulls), which appear everywhere during the holiday: in candied sweets, as parade masks, as dolls. Calacas and calaveras are almost always portrayed as enjoying life, often in fancy clothes and entertaining situations. The most common ways of celebrating include:
● Setting up an altar with offerings
● Cleaning and decorating graves
● Holding all-night graveside vigils
● Telling stories about the deceased
● Having community festivals, parades, and street parties
Dia de los Muertos in Mexico vary from town to town but are truly a celebration of life. The holidays allow the dead to live again and is celebrated as a way of retaining connections with the unseen world.
