Dia de los Muertos * Day of the Dead
November 1st - 2nd
Get ready to celebrate and honor your loved ones during this colorful and cheerful Mexican holiday. Some of the traditions have very specific meanings so we’ll just jump right in and review everything you need to make for a successful celebration. Soon you will get that music going, gather friends and family and make this an annual tradition!
Familia * Family * Amigos * Friends
Altar
Ofrenda
A multi-tiered ritual display during the annual festivities usually contain different elements to attract the souls of those family members who have left the mortal world back for a brief time. Altars can be made up of 2, 3 or even 7 levels. It is said the levels can represent the earth, sky and the underworld according to Aztec belief system.
Sugar Skulls
Calaveras de Azucar
Sugar skulls are one of the most popular symbols of Dia de los Muertos holiday. Although they are made of sugar, they are typically not eaten. Sugar skulls are brightly decorated with frosting, colored foil and whatever embellishments you may have on hand. To finish off your work, you can also add the name of your loved one on the forehead.
Marigold Flowers
Flor de Muertos / Cempazuchitl
Also known as “flowers of the dead”, It is believed that the scent of these bright orange blooms are so fragrant that is attracts the souls back to the homes of their relatives and loved ones. The flowers are traditionally used to decorate altars, make wreaths, pathways and to adorn gravesites. You can find these annuals in various shades of yellow and orange during those warm summer months and often continuing into the fall and through the Day of the Dead celebrations.
Candles
There’s something about the warm glow of candles that instantly brings a sense of calm. The dance of the flickering wicks brings movement and brings the altar to life. Take precautions using fire candles. You can also easily find battery operated candles for safety. Either way, the light also works on guiding the souls as they look to reunite with loved ones.
Food/Beverages
Traditional foods are often the center of all family gatherings. Some foods you can expect are pan de muertos which is a sweet bread baked especially for the holiday. The dough of pan de muertos can be shaped to resemble skulls then topped with brightly colored sugar. Other foods are also left on the altar such as fruits and sweets for the spirits to enjoy. Traditional dishes such as mole or tamales may be specially prepared for this holiday.
Personal Objects
Personal items of the deceased such as pictures, eye glasses, books, a favorite object or instrument may also be placed upon the altar to make the spirits feel welcomed. A wash basin along with soap, water, comb and a towel are also placed upon the altar so that the spirits can wash up after their long journey. The personal items selected make each and every altar a unique expression of the person being honored.
Insence
Copal
The copal resin is burned to purify the souls of the spirits and elevate the experience of family and friends. The insense is burned in a clay burner and has a strong aroma, strong enough to attract the spirits.
Papel Picado
It is really all about the details when it comes to bringing lots of cheerful colors into the celebration. Papel picado is finely cutout tissue that really draws your eyes around the room or area of focus. This unique craft is considered Mexican Folk Art. The souls arriving are made known by the delicate movement of the flags.
Aztec Dancers
The exciting part of going to festivals is to be able to feed your soul from a tradition so beautiful and moving, you’ll want to cry. The elaborate headdresses are so majestic you can’t help but be captured in the moment. While many dancers wear huge feathered headdresses called penachos, some use body paint to decorate their bodies to better represent the god or animal they are honoring. The dances themselves are very interesting, holding both cultural and religious meaning.
The men and women in these dances each play different parts to show the duality of the Aztec world. Women represent night, the jaguar, and the earth while men represent the sun, the eagle and water. The main purpose of the dancers is the honor the gods and to form a link between their world and earth. The four cardinal points must be blessed before the dancing begin.The leader will often call to the gods to bless the group and to help bring the past and present closer together. Following the dance there is often a shaman who will do a blessing for the dancers and members of the audience for a price of course.
Join in!
It can make all the difference when you also join in on the traditions and open your heart to healing, peace, and joy. If you ever have a chance to attend a Dia de los Muertos festival, we highly recommend it. Family friendly celebrations are annual traditions and you might want to check within your community or surrounding areas.
