Day of the Dead or Día de Los Muertos, a Mexican holiday is celebrated on 2nd & 3rd November throughout Mexico in honor of the deceased ones...
Day Of The Dead
In his article, we will discuss more about the history, traditions, celebrations, locations, and significance of the Day of The Dead in Mexican
culture.
What Is Day Of The Dead?
Day of the Dead, also called Día de Muertos, is an occasion celebrated in Mexico. It takes place on November 2nd and 3rd each year to honor those who have passed away, sending them off with much celebration and giving their loved ones time to reflect on the life that was lived.
The name can be translated into “Day of the dead” or “the day
of the souls” depending on how you translate it.
The tradition has its roots in indigenous Mesoamerican cultures that viewed death as a process of rebirth rather than something to fear.
The holiday was celebrated among these people for centuries before it became an important part of Catholicism.
History Of Day Of The Dead
The Day of the Dead has been commended for more than 3,000 years. The name for this unique day comes from two Spanish words: “Dia” which means “Day”, and “de Muertos” which means "of the dead".
The Day of the Dead gets its origins from ancient Aztec rituals but
today; it has been blended with Catholic beliefs.
However the intricate festivals of Día de Los Muertos are for the most part connected with Mexico, yet its roots can be traced back to Aztec rituals held in honor of their dead.
The modern-day
celebration takes place on November 2nd and 3rd, but many festivities take
place through November 8th to coincide with Catholic holidays.
Where The Day Of The Dead Is Celebrated
Day of the Dead is a Latin American holiday that takes place on November 2nd every year.
As more people have immigrated from these
countries to North America, they've brought Day of the Dead along with them.
How To Celebrate The Day Of The Dead
The holiday, which is held annually on 2nd and 3rd November to honors deceased relatives and
loved ones; it’s not about death or mourning or anything like that.
It happens throughout the span of a few days after Halloween. This holiday doesn’t really have any rules. You can celebrate in any way you like, but there are some traditions you might want to consider following.
For example, many people put up altars
with pictures of their loved ones on them, along with sugar skulls (and other
candies), marigolds (which symbolize death), and candles (representing life).
Day Of The Dead Traditions
There are many traditions surrounding this celebration, including sugar skulls and marigolds.
Sugar skulls represent the sweetness of life, while marigolds represent death (the flower closes at night to protect itself from predators). Mexican celebrants often make paper figures called "calacas".
Celebrations In Mexico!
On November 2, Mexicans gather at cemeteries to decorate the graves of their dead loved ones with flowers, candles, food, and drink in order to be able to stay with them for a night.
That night they spend time remembering good times they spent with that person while he was alive. They additionally fabricate special altars with lively colors that honor deceased relatives or companions.
The altars
are decorated with foods like candy skulls and bread made into shapes like
skeletons or Calaveras (skulls). People also welcome the spirits of dead loved
ones by wearing skull masks or painting their faces black with ashes from
burning copal.
Favorite Part About The Day
The favorite part of the day is the celebrations include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed.
Skull imagery is
prevalent; homes are often decorated with Calaveras (sugar skulls), skeletons,
and figures reminiscent of La Catrina.
What Is The Significance Of This Day?
The significance of the Day is a religious observance held on November 2nd and 3rd which honors deceased relatives.
The
holiday is particularly important in Mexico, where its roots lie. In fact, it’s
one of the most significant holidays in Mexico, alongside la fiesta de Los
Muertos which translates to "the party of the dead".
In modern times, this day has been celebrated among
Mexican communities outside Mexico as well. This holiday is a family-centered
event that focuses not only on deceased relatives but also on friends and
neighbors who have died as well.
Conclusion
Day of the Dead is one of the most famous festivals
in Mexico. People come together to pray for their deceased relatives, and eat
food, drink tequila, and have a ball! Everyone gets together to have fun!
People are encouraged to visit cemeteries with flowers
or paper cut-out figures that represent their deceased loved ones. They spend
time at the graveside talking and acknowledging that person’s life. The
deceased is then invited into their home for an evening of dinner and
celebration.
It was a celebration of life and death, represented by
a fusion of Catholic tradition from Spain and existing indigenous practices. It
is as yet praised today in Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Nicaragua, and a few parts of the US.
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