The Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a holiday that honors and remembers the deceased. It is celebrated in different ways around the world, but it has its origins in the ancient traditions of the indigenous peoples of Mexico. In this article, we will explore when the Day of the Dead is, how it is celebrated, and what it means for the people who observe it.
The Origins of the Day of the Dead
The Day of the Dead traces its roots to the Mesoamerican cultures that existed in what is now central Mexico before the Spanish conquest. The Aztecs and other Nahua peoples had a cyclical view of life and death, and believed that the souls of the dead traveled to a place called Chicunamictlán, the Land of the Dead. To reach their final destination, Mictlán, the souls had to overcome nine levels of challenges, which could take several years. The living relatives of the deceased would help them in their journey by offering them food, water, and tools on special occasions throughout the year1.
One of these occasions was a month-long festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl, the Lady of the Dead, which coincided with the harvest season in late July and early August. During this festival, the people would make altars, burn incense, and display skulls as symbols of death and rebirth1.
The Influence of the Catholic Church
When the Spanish colonizers arrived in Mexico in the 16th century, they brought with them their own religious beliefs and practices, including the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, which are celebrated on November 1 and 2. These days are dedicated to honoring the saints and the souls of the faithful departed, respectively. The Catholic Church tried to convert the indigenous people to Christianity and to eradicate their pagan rituals, but they were not entirely successful. Instead, a syncretism occurred, in which the native and the European traditions blended and influenced each other1.
The result was the creation of a new holiday, the Day of the Dead, which was moved from the summer to the fall, to coincide with the Catholic dates. The Day of the Dead incorporated elements from both cultures, such as the use of skulls, flowers, candles, and food, but also added new ones, such as the cross, the Virgin Mary, and the saints. The Day of the Dead also became more personalized, as each family would honor their own ancestors and relatives, rather than a generic goddess or deity1.
The Celebration of the Day of the Dead
The Day of the Dead is celebrated differently in different regions and countries, but some common elements are:
- The creation of altars or ofrendas, which are decorated with photos, personal items, and favorite foods and drinks of the deceased. The altars are meant to welcome the spirits back to the world of the living and to show them that they are remembered and loved2.
- The use of marigolds, or cempasúchil, which are bright orange or yellow flowers that are believed to guide the souls with their scent and color. The flowers are arranged in arches, crosses, or paths, leading from the cemetery to the home or the altar2.
- The use of sugar skulls, or calaveras de azúcar, which are colorful and edible skulls made of sugar, chocolate, or other ingredients. The skulls are often decorated with icing, foil, feathers, and the name of the deceased on the forehead. The skulls are either placed on the altar or given as gifts to the living2.
- The visit to the cemetery, where the families clean and adorn the graves of their loved ones with flowers, candles, and offerings. They also spend time there, praying, singing, telling stories, and sharing a meal with the spirits2.
- The participation in parades, festivals, and other public events, where people dress up as skeletons, wear masks, and dance to music. Some of these events are influenced by popular culture, such as the James Bond movie Spectre, which featured a large-scale Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City3.
The Meaning of the Day of the Dead
The Day of the Dead is not a sad or morbid occasion, but rather a joyful and colorful celebration of life and death. It is a time to honor and remember the dead, but also to celebrate the continuity of life and the bond between the living and the departed. It is a time to express gratitude, love, and respect for the ancestors, but also to reflect on one’s own mortality and destiny. It is a time to embrace death as a natural and inevitable part of life, but also to affirm life as a precious and sacred gift4.
The Day of the Dead is a unique and beautiful tradition that has evolved and adapted over time, but has also preserved its ancient and spiritual essence. It is a tradition that transcends borders and cultures, and that connects people with their roots and their identity. It is a tradition that celebrates the diversity and the richness of the human experience, and that reminds us that we are all part of the same cycle of life and death.
