How to Celebrate Day of the Dead
Day of the Dead in movies is often depicted as a vibrant, colorful celebration filled with elaborate altars, lively parades, and festive gatherings – but do you know the history behind it? This article will cover the history of Day of the Dead, suggest outfit ideas, and provide fun Day of the Dead decor ideas.
History of the Day of the Dead in Mexico
The history of the Day of the Dead in Mexico is a fascinating blend of indigenous traditions and Spanish Catholic influences. Its origins trace back thousands of years to the pre-Columbian civilizations of Mesoamerica, including the Aztecs, Mayans, and other Nahua people. These civilizations held a cyclical view of life and death, believing that death was a natural part of the human experience and that the dead continued to exist in a different realm. The Aztecs, for instance, had a month-long celebration dedicated to Mictecacihuatl, the "Lady of the Dead," during which they honored their deceased with offerings of food, flowers, and personal items.
When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, they brought Catholic customs and beliefs with them, which they sought to integrate with indigenous practices. The Spanish colonizers introduced All Saints' Day on November 1 and All Souls' Day on November 2, which coincided with the Aztec festival for the dead. This fusion of traditions gave rise to the modern Day of the Dead celebrations, where indigenous rituals were combined with Catholic observances. The result is a unique holiday that retains the essence of honoring and remembering the deceased, while incorporating elements like the Christian concepts of saints and souls.
Today, the Day of the Dead is celebrated with a rich array of customs and symbols. Altars, or ofrendas, are set up in homes and cemeteries, adorned with Day of the Dead flowers (marigolds, or cempasúchil), candles, incense, photographs of the deceased, and their favorite foods and beverages. Skulls (calaveras) and skeletons (calacas) are iconic symbols of the holiday, often depicted in sugar skulls, masks, and face paint. Special foods such as pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and tamales are prepared, both to be enjoyed by the living and offered to the spirits of the dead.
The Day of the Dead is more than just a time to remember deceased loved ones; it is a celebration of life and death, reflecting a worldview that sees death as an integral part of life. It is a vibrant and joyous occasion, marked by parades, music, dance, and communal gatherings. This holiday remains a vital part of Mexican cultural identity, preserving ancient traditions while adapting to contemporary influences.
When is the Day of the Dead celebrated?
The Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. November 1st is dedicated to honoring deceased children and infants, known as Día de los Inocentes, while November 2nd is reserved for remembering deceased adults, known as Día de los Muertos.
Who celebrates Day of the Dead?
The Day of the Dead is primarily celebrated in Mexico, where it is a significant cultural and religious event. However, it is also observed in other parts of Latin America and by Mexican communities around the world. The holiday is rooted in indigenous traditions, particularly those of the Aztec, Mayan, and other Nahua peoples, and has been blended with Spanish Catholic customs. In addition to Mexico, countries like Guatemala, Ecuador, Brazil, and Bolivia have their own unique ways of honoring the deceased during this period. In the United States, especially in areas with large Mexican-American populations, Day of the Dead has become a popular celebration, often marked by public festivals, parades, and cultural exhibitions. The holiday is celebrated by people of various ages and backgrounds, who come together to remember and honor their deceased loved ones through rituals, offerings, and communal gatherings.
What is a Day of the Dead altar?
A Day of the Dead altar, or ofrenda, is a traditional Mexican display set up to honor and remember deceased loved ones during Día de los Muertos, celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. The altar typically features a colorful arrangement of photos, personal items, and offerings like food, candles, and marigold flowers (cempasúchil), which are believed to guide the spirits back to the world of the living. Each element on the altar has symbolic meaning, such as salt to purify, water to quench the spirits' thirst, and sugar skulls to represent the sweetness of life. The altar is a way to celebrate the lives of the departed and keep their memory alive.
How can I celebrate Day of the Dead?
To celebrate Day of the Dead, you can start by creating an ofrenda (altar) in your home to honor deceased loved ones. Decorate it with photos, candles, marigolds, and their favorite foods or personal items. You can also make or buy traditional foods like pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and tamales to share with family and friends.
Visiting a local cemetery to clean and decorate the graves of loved ones with flowers and candles is another meaningful way to participate. If you’re interested in art and crafts, you could make papel picado, paint sugar skulls, or create colorful skeleton figures (calacas).
Additionally, attending community events such as Day of the Dead parades, festivals, or cultural workshops can deepen your understanding and connection to the celebration. Watching related films, like Coco, or learning more about the holiday's history and significance can also be part of your observance.
Day of the Dead decorations
Day of the Dead decorations typically feature vibrant colors, skulls, and skeleton imagery, often combined with traditional elements like marigold flowers, candles, and papel picado (intricately cut paper banners). Common themes include the celebration of life and death, the connection between the living and the dead, and honoring deceased loved ones. Here are some ideas on how to decorate your space for this iconic holiday.
Sugar Skulls (Calaveras de Azúcar)
Day of the Dead sugar skulls are colorful, ornate skulls made from sugar, often decorated with bright icing and sometimes inscribed with the names of the deceased.
Marigolds (Cempasúchil)
Bright orange and yellow marigold flowers are used to decorate altars and graves. Their strong scent is believed to guide the spirits back to the living world.
Papel Picado
Intricately cut paper banners that feature designs of skulls, skeletons, and other traditional motifs. These are often hung around altars and in homes.
Pan de Muerto
A special sweet Day of the Dead food is this bread typically baked in the shape of a skull or bones, placed on altars as an offering to the deceased.
Candles
Used to light the way for the spirits, candles are placed on altars and graves. They often come in various colors, each symbolizing different aspects of life and death.
Skeleton Figures (Calacas)
A popular decoration is Day of the Dead skeletons. These playful and colorful skeletons are made from clay, paper-mâché, or other materials, often depicted in festive or everyday activities to represent the dead continuing to enjoy life.
Day of the Dead masks
Day of the Dead masks typically emulate classic Day of the Dead makeup, which feature a stylized skeleton face with bright colors and ornate details.
Day of the Dead artwork
Day of the Dead artwork typically features vibrant depictions of skeletons, skulls, and flowers, especially marigolds, often combined with festive scenes and cultural symbols that celebrate the continuity of life and honor the deceased. You could order prints of these pieces of artwork, order some Day of the Dead downloadable drawings or even make your own.
Day of the Dead costume ideas
Day of the Dead costumes typically incorporate vibrant colors, traditional Mexican attire, and elaborate sugar skull face paint, often adorned with flowers, lace, and other symbolic accessories that celebrate both life and death.
La Catrina
Dress as the iconic La Catrina figure, wearing an elegant, long dress with lace, a wide-brimmed hat adorned with flowers, and a painted skull face. This outfit embodies the blend of the macabre and the sophisticated, symbolizing the celebration of life and death.
Sugar skull bride
Wear a white or brightly colored wedding Day of the Dead dress, complete with a veil adorned with marigolds or other flowers. Pair this with intricate sugar skull face paint and colorful accessories, like beaded necklaces and flower crowns.
Charro or mariachi skeleton
Dress in a traditional charro or mariachi suit, complete with embroidery and silver details. Add a sombrero and paint your face as a skeleton, combining traditional Mexican attire with Day of the Dead symbolism. You’ll often see outfits like these in Day of the Dead parades.
Traditional Mexican outfit with Calavera makeup
Wear a traditional Mexican dress such as a huipil or rebozo for women, or a guayabera shirt for men. Complement the outfit with calavera (skull) face paint, incorporating colorful designs around the eyes and mouth to honor the festive spirit of the occasion. This style of makeup is often one you’ll see referenced in Day of the Dead tattoos or artwork.
Calavera couple
Coordinate with a partner by dressing in matching skeleton outfits. You can choose black clothing with skeleton prints or go for something more elaborate with matching suits or dresses. Complete the look with complementary Day of the Dead face paint and accessories like flowers, top hats, or bow ties. For a special look, consider making your own Day of the Dead costumes from scratch!
Day of the Dead is a fun, vibrant, and culturally significant holiday that can be celebrated by anyone. If you’d like to honor a loved one or memorialize someone who has passed, consider setting up a memorial website with Ever Loved. Ever Loved gives you a space to share memories, photos, event information, an obituary, and more, so that you can remember your loved one each and every day.
