Celebrate the vibrant iconography and culture of Día de los Muertos
Explore the rich history, iconic symbols, and heartfelt traditions of the Day of the Dead.
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) will be celebrated this weekend in communities across the United States. This primarily Mexican holiday is rooted in the belief that the veil between the mortal and immortal worlds is thinning, allowing the souls of the dead to cross into the world of the living to be with their loved ones.
The vacation will take place over three days. Depending on where the holiday is celebrated, official celebrations usually begin on November 1st and end on November 2nd, and preparations and preparations for the vigil begin on October 31st. November 1st is known as Día de los Angelitos, which honors the souls of children who have passed away, and November 2nd is Día de los Muertos.
As part of this holiday rooted in indigenous culture, families create a path of marigold petals from their front door to the altar to guide the spirits into their home.
“Dear Death” is the inspiration for the Disney/Pixar film “Coco,” which tells the story of a Mexican boy who travels through the land of the dead to find his musical idol, while his ancestors attempt to cross into the world of the living. People celebrating this holiday paint their faces to look like skeletons and hold parades to honor the deceased.
As the holiday approaches, here’s a primer on the key elements of Muertos Day.
What is the origin of Día de los Muertos?
The holiday began 3,000 years ago in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica as a ritual to honor the dead.
According to History.com, tradition holds that the gates of heaven will open at midnight on October 31st, allowing child spirits to return to their families for 24 hours, while adult spirits can stay with their loved ones for the entirety of November 2nd.
In the traditions of indigenous peoples, including the Aztec and Nahua peoples of central Mexico, death is considered a constant part of life. It is said that after death, a person traveled to the land of the dead called Chicnamictlan. Reaching Mictlan, believed to be their final resting place, requires several years of climbing through the heights of the land.
In traditional ceremonies, indigenous people offer food and water to deceased spirits to aid them in their journey. This gave rise to the modern tradition of the ofrenda, a special type of altar set up for this occasion.
How are holidays celebrated?
Marigolds are one of the most important symbols of this holiday. Ofrendas and cemeteries are usually decorated with flowers. Flowers are believed to guide spirits into the living world with their bright colors and strong scents.
Altars are traditionally decorated with remnants of their lives, such as photographs of deceased relatives, their favorite foods and drinks, and symbols of their favorite objects and professions.
People often dress up as skeletons on Day of the Dead to reflect on their own mortality and treat death as a natural part of life.
Other important holiday symbols include calaveras de azucal, sugar skull, pan de muerto, papel picado, and “La Calavera Catrina,” a Mexican folk image created by artist Jose Guadalupe Posada in the early 20th century to mock European styles. “La Calavera Catrina” is an image of a female skeleton dressed in the fashion of the time.
Mexican cities often hold parades to celebrate the holiday, featuring mascots dressed as skeletons. In the United States, Day of the Dead parades are held in cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Antonio, and Fort Lauderdale.
What do people eat on Day of the Dead?
Pan de Muerto is a traditional sweet bread decorated with crossbone-shaped dough, flavored with orange zest, and topped with sugar, often enjoyed during the holidays. Other commonly consumed foods and drinks include atole, corn flour drinks, and dark chocolate.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Please contact mdelrey@usatoday.com.
