Día de los Muertos
During this holiday, the living honor and welcome back the souls of dead loved ones for a brief reunion and celebration as the border between the living and spirit worlds is temporarily dissolved.
During this holiday, the living honor and welcome back the souls of dead loved ones for a brief reunion and celebration as the border between the living and spirit worlds is temporarily dissolved.
Renee Harleston
Reviewer URLDate: November 1-2
Names: Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead
Pronunciation: DEE-ya day lohss MWAYR-tohs
During this holiday, the living honor and welcome back the souls of dead loved ones for a brief reunion and celebration as the border between the living and spirit worlds is temporarily dissolved.
Origin
Día de los Muertos dates back to around 3,000 years ago from the rituals of the native populations of Mexico to honor the dead. When Spanish colonizers brought the Catholic faith to the region, Día de los Muertos was scheduled to coincide with the church’s All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, which specifically commemorates the dead.
When it is observed
Día de los Muertos begins at midnight on October 31st and ends on November 2. On Día de los Angelitos, or Day of the Little Angels, which takes place November 1, the spirits of deceased children may rejoin their families for 24 hours. The spirits of deceased adults may rejoin their families on the next day, November 2.
Traditions
Festive celebrations include parades and wearing costumes. Calacas, a skull mask or skeleton figure, may be displayed during Día de los Muertos. People also paint their faces with elaborate makeup like the modern image of La Catrina or “the elegant skull,” one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday. Gravesites and temporary at-home altars called ofrendas are decorated with candles, flowers (especially marigolds), photos of the deceased, and their favorite foods. This is a time to celebrate the reunion of loved ones’ souls as they return to the living world.
What to say
An appropriate greeting for this day can be: “¡Feliz Día de los Muertos!”