Dia de Los Muertos is an event to honor the dead every single year on October 31, November 1, and November 2. During the years and across the world, cultures have discovered different methods of dealing with the loss of a loved one. In Mexico, people commemorate Dia de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead. It is not certainly a sad moment but it is a moment of remembrance. Here is the history of Dia de Los Muertos or the day of the dead.
November 1 is dedicated to late children on the Day of the Innocents (Dia de Los Inocentes) or Day of the Little Angels (Dia de Los Angelitos). Next, on November 2, adults are sanctified. But the whole event is a three-day celebration that can’t be refrained.
The Day of the dead is traced back between the years 1300 and 1521
The Aztec Empire was in command and they thought it disrespectful to grieve the loss of those who had passed away. So, they came up with a month-long festival that enabled the dead to visit the living while also paying tribute to “The Lady of the Dead.”
Mexicans paint their faces to look like skeletons
Some open-hearted people also add flowers to their hair or wear big hats to emphasize their appearance. This folklore has urged several Halloween costumes in the States, as well as other modern cultures beyond the border.
Papel Picado or chiseled paper is a must
In the Pre-Columbian time, people made these out of trees, because the Aztecs were complete administrators when it came time to decorating sacred sites. But now, this kind of group art is made out of technicolor tissue paper.
Every sector in Mexico has its unique style of observing the Day of the Dead, but there are many similarities. The ceremony will usually include the creation of an altar, where family members, colleagues, or participants can add food, Calaveras, and other gadgets. But these altars aren’t just for decor. They present a platform that allows the dearly departed souls to make their way back to the world of the living.
Pan de Muerto is known as the Bread of the Dead
Pan de Muerto doesn’t taste as dangerous as the name might suggest. It’s a sweet roll, often embellished with skeletons. The orange flavor and anise seeds are used to savor the bread. But while the living is the ones who eat the bread, many assume that the spirits can receive the delicious fragrance of the bread as well.
The ritual altar is a very significant part of the Day of the Dead, but so is the public ofrenda. An ofrenda or offering is laid on the altar. This usually includes things like food. On the Day of the Dead, you’ll see altars in homes, churches, and graveyards full of ofrendas. Each will have its own creative touch.
Photographs are essential for the day of the dead
While most groups prefer to set photos of their human family members, they can place photos of just about anyone including a friend, a dead hero, or a pet. That way, everyone on both sides can get a grand reunion throughout the three-day holiday.
The day of the dead is not similar to Halloween
Halloween is all about playfulness, mischief, and horror, which is completely different from Dia de Los Muertos, which honors the dead with colors, ceremonies, songs, and dancing. The ritual is a metaphorical gateway to love and recognize family members who have passed on.
