The four essential elements of nature-earth, wind, water, and fire-in various forms, but often including a clay cazuela or cooking pot (earth) and candles (fire).Religious imagery, such as a crucifix or an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe.Cempazuchitl, or marigold flower (other types of flowers are sometimes used as well).Copal, or traditional incense (dating to pre-Columbian religious ceremonies in Mexico).

Having these items allows loved ones to feel refreshed after their long journey. When preparing an altar for deceased loved ones, some people create a welcoming and beautiful display with the deceased family members’ favorite foods and other personal items, along with photos of the departed loved ones. These public altars display the craft of altar-making for Día de los Muertos and honor loved ones. These altars are created inside homes, at gravesites in local cemeteries, and more recently, in public places and museums across Mexico and the U.S. It also makes the deceased feel comfortable in the midst of the living community for this annual ritual. One of the most important elements of Día de los Muertos is a traditional altar, or ofrenda, to honor deceased loved ones. Our own traditions include making altars, decorating with skulls, and making pan de muerto.Ĭidades para Pessoas / Flickr Altars ( Ofrendas ) The day includes several important traditions that many people take part in, including my own family. It honors the lives of deceased loved ones by putting aside a day that they can awaken from their eternal sleep and share food, drink, and celebrations with their families. In contrast to the name itself, Día de los Muertos is not a day of mourning, but of joy.Īt the root of it, the day acknowledges death as a part of the human experience. You will probably find local happenings in your community that put the roots of this ancient tradition on display. through media attention and a growing population from Mexico.

It’s especially gained widespread recognition in the U.S. But nothing they tried was ever able to dampen people’s love and enthusiasm for the day, and over time, the holiday has thrived and evolved.Īs people move around the world, we recognize Día de los Muertos far and wide outside of Mexico. When the Spanish arrived much later, they tried to stop the holiday as it did not align with their religious beliefs. The tradition originated in southern Mexico more than 3,000 years ago with the first celebrations of departed souls. I’ll be sharing images from previous Día de los Muertos celebrations and my own experiences throughout this post, along with a brief background on the holiday itself! A brief history of Día de los Muertosĭía de los Muertos combines the European Catholic traditions of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day with Aztec rituals of honoring the deceased. The day after Halloween is when most festivities of this traditional Mexican holiday begin, and that’s typically when my own family celebrates this holiday, too. While people across Latin America and the Caribbean pay respects to their deceased loved ones in different ways during the first two days of November, Mexico is the birthplace of the traditions of Día de los Muertos. Día de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead,” is a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated from October 31st to November 2nd.

El dia de los muertos