Day of the Dead is a Mexican tradition that celebrates family members who have passed away. It is a non-morbid memorial that incorporates Catholic holy days, and is celebrated over two days. Families build altars with food and prized possessions to entice the dead to visit, and celebrate with picnics and stories of deceased family members. The holiday is an important part of Mexican culture and is celebrated throughout the country, with the greatest observance in southern Mexico. The tradition embraces death as a natural part of life and connects families to their deceased relatives.
Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a Mexican tradition that predates Christianity. It is a celebratory and non-morbid or depressing memorial to family members who have passed away. When Mexico became largely Christian, the tradition became involved in two Catholic holy days: All Saints’ Day which fell on November XNUMXth and All Saints’ Day which fell on November 1st.
Day of the Dead displaced a tradition dating back to the Aztecs or earlier, to incorporate Catholic holy days. Also, it’s actually two days and it starts on November 1st.
November 1st is usually dedicated to the remembrance of children who have died and is often called the day of the little angels. The second day is meant for the remembrance of adults who have died.
In many homes families build an altar that has representatives of the four elements: fire, water, wind and earth. Altars are usually beautifully decorated with flowers, wreaths and perhaps the pictures of the deceased family. Food may be placed on altars as many believe that deceased friends and relatives come to their homes on that day. Hence altars usually carry prized possessions of the dead to entice them to visit.
The holiday is an important part of both days celebrating the Day of the Dead. Indeed, good food and well-cleaned houses are thought to attract the dead. Also, toy skeletons and skulls are important and welcome features. In some cases, dead bread features a toy skeleton baked inside. The person who bites into the skeleton is said to have good luck for the year.
On the second day, the celebration takes place mostly outdoors, and families can picnic in cemeteries to celebrate the lives of adults who have died. This is almost like a wake in some respects, since stories of deceased family members are told. It is again a very joyous time and often an opportunity for family reunions.
On All Souls’ Day, graves can be decorated with beautiful floral wreaths or favorite foods of the deceased. Hopefully, the laughter and mention of the deceased will bring them back to earth to visit among living family members. Therefore the deceased are considered to be very present at the celebrations in their honor.
There are many celebrations among Mexican immigrants in the United States. In states with large numbers of Mexican families, it is not uncommon to see vigils or special holidays marking Day of the Dead in most cities and even smaller towns. In Mexico, it is celebrated throughout the country, with the greatest observance in southern Mexico.
Day of the Dead may seem like a strange observance to the uninitiated. Especially in the United States, people tend not to want to think about death or our deceased as this brings us sadness. However, Mexican tradition embraces death as a very important part of life. Death is not to be feared, but it is the natural consequence of life. The dead are not gone forever, and these two days of remembrance connect families to their deceased relatives so that the bonds of love for those who have died are never broken.
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