Whereas Halloween is a relatively recent invention, Day of the Dead traditions have been celebrated in one form or another for thousands of years. The celebration begins in earnest on October 31, when children who have died are remembered, and continues through November 2.
Superstitions entertained by European conquistadors, a commingling of ancient Aztec and Mayan myths and Catholic beliefs went into the modern Day of the Dead. The Spanish conquistadors arrived in the "new world" to discover a two-month celebration honoring death, the fall harvest and the New Year. The Spaniards reflected upon death in a far more tragic light and felt that it should entail prayer, and they found the early form of the Day of the Dead to be barbaric and pagan.
In their attempts to convert the original inhabitants of this land to Catholicism, the Spaniards attempted to send the ritual itself to the next life, but the spirit of the holiday continued to return. The Spaniards decided to make the holiday more Christian by moving it to All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, on November 1 and 2.
In Mexican culture, the Day of the Dead is a supremely important cultural event that recognizes those who have passed away. People throughout the country take the occasion to costume themselves as ghouls and skeletons and even parade throughout town alongside an open coffin featuring a Day of the Dead skull that smiles. Decorations also include such things as toys, paper cutouts, wreaths and crosses. The decorations predominate at altars (ofrendas) placed both inside the home and outside. In addition, these altars may be adorned with pictures, food, coffee, tequila and other presents. These altars allow the souls of the departed to return home and enjoy what they have missed in the afterlife.
The Day of the Dead skulls, which date back to the Aztec traditions of the ancient celebration, are at the center of the celebration. The Aztec warriors kept the skulls as hunting trophies, but over time they have transformed into symbols of rebirth. These skulls typically show up as one of the most delectable and sought-after of Day of the Dead foods--skulls made of chocolate or sugar. Handmade skeleton figures known as calacas are also omnipresent during the festivities.
Another Day of the Dead tradition is the baking of "pan de muerto," or the bread of the dead. This sweet bread takes the shape of skulls and crosses or has skulls and crosses baked on top, and families sometimes bake a mini-skeleton inside.
The second day of celebration is marked by family members traveling to the cemetery. They bring candles and flowers, especially marigolds, which are known as the flowers of the dead. They also bring picnic baskets and blankets, but there is work to be done. Using picks, shovels and brooms, families also clean the graves of their loved ones. The grave sites are weeded and the dirt raked smooth. In addition, crypts are scrubbed clean. These sojourns to gravesites are an important element in the celebration of the Day of the Dead.
However, the celebration at the gravesite is far from somber. People play music, drink and sell goods. This ambiance of partying harkens back to the pre-Spanish traditions of celebrations and often may be looked upon as ghoulish by first-time visitors, but the atmosphere is not disrespectful. In fact, visitors to the graves leave presents they think the dead might like, and, if the dead aren't happy with the offerings, they face bad luck in the future.
The Day of the Dead is intended to be a celebration of the earthly lives of those who have passed over to the afterlife. The festive interaction with both the living and the dead is an important social ritual, and is a way of recognizing the cycle of life and death that is human existence.
 | In Mexico, a way to honor dead relatives is through the preparing and eating of Day of the Dead food. The Day of the Dead is an event in which families celebrate the return of the spirits of deceased ancestors. To create an atmosphere that any wandering spirit would love to visit, families often prepare dishes enjoyed by their loved ones. |
 | Day of the Dead altars are set up by families in Mexico to honor family members who have died. These altars are typically bright and colorful and are not designed out of sadness or mourning, but out of joy. |
Dia de los Muertos' history reflects early Catholic practices, but the holiday, also known as the "Day of the Dead," has emerged as an Aztec-influenced Mexican celebration with a distinct set of unique traditions. Born and based in Mexico, Dia de los Muertos is also celebrated by those of Mexican descent throughout the world. |
Her face is one you'd never forget, and she goes by many names like La Catrina, la Flaca, la Huesuda, la Pelona (Fancy, Skinny, Bony, Baldy). No, she's not a model! In Mexico, she's known as La Muerte, Death. |
Mexican exuberance takes on a special flair between October 29 and November 2nd during the Dia de los Muertos or Days of the Dead celebration. It's no coincidence that the festival falls near Halloween. |
