The capital city held its first parade in 2016 and today, more than 2.5 million tourists and locals flock to the celebration yearly. Probably one of the most well-known and largest Día de los Muertos celebrations occurs in Mexico City. They’ll also wear noisemakers and shells to add to the merriness and rouse the dead to join the celebration.įive of the best Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico Many family members dress up as Calavera Catrina and paint their faces to resemble skulls. Many sugar skulls will be put on altars decorated with the name of the departed family member.ĭía de los Muertos would be incomplete without Calavera Catrina costumes and parades. Sugar skulls are also very common in celebrations. It’s a sweet bread-like pan dulce decorated with skulls and a circle of bones to represent the circle of life. Some of the most common food offerings include Pan de Muerto, or bread of the dead, a traditional Mexican pastry. It’s very common for families to leave ofrendas of food on their altar to entice their loved ones to return. Those who celebrate Día de los Muertos believe that the spirits get hungry and thirsty on their journey back from the spirit world. His illustrations were also accompanied by witty poems, known as literary calaveras. After his death, his La Calavera Catrina became the unofficial symbol of the holiday. Posada lived from 1852-1913, and his illustrations were a political satire of Mexican high society. The tradition is heavily influenced by Mexican artist, José Guadalupe Posada, who created the famous illustration of La Calavera Catrina, a female skeleton wearing a plumed hat. Many gravesites will also have copal incense burning, which purifies the air around the altar.Ĭalaveras, or skulls, are a common symbol seen in Día de los Muertos celebrations. Some may even scatter petals from the altar to the gravesite to create a path for souls to return. Marigolds are a common symbol and gift during Día de los Muertos, as many families decorate their altars with marigolds. The altars hold a candle for every departed family member along with precious possessions belonging to the dead. The food and drinks are meant to “revive” the dead after the long journey back to the land of the living. These altars are not meant for worshipping but instead hold gifts, family photos, food, and water. At this time, families will also visit the cemetery to decorate grave sites with sugar skulls, gifts, and marigold flowers.ĭuring Día de los Muertos, families create altars for their loved ones with ofrendas or offerings. Many people dress up with Calavera (skeleton) painted faces and dance in a joyous parade. This is the grand finale and public celebration of Día de los Muertos. Families will create altars to welcome their departed loved ones back to the land of the living.Īt noon on November 2nd, Día de los Muertos and the spirits of all the dead are celebrated. Families gather to play games, dance, and toast with mezcal. On November 2nd at midnight, families celebrate Día de los Fieles Difuntos (All Souls Day), which honors the spirits of departed adults. The children’s names are usually written on a sugar skull, a common snack eaten during Día de los Muertos. Families create an altar with their child’s favorite toys and treats. Starting at midnight on November 1st, Día de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels) honors all the child spirits who have passed onto the afterlife. When is Day of the Dead or Día de los Muertos celebrated?ĭía de los Muertos takes place over two days, and each day honors and celebrates the deceased. We’ve rounded up everything there is to know about celebrating Día de los Muertos, including which Mexican cities host the best celebrations. There are many areas of Mexico where you can celebrate this joyous and mystical holiday. Families create altars with ofrendas (offerings) and invite their departed family members to journey back to the land of the living. Día de los Muertos invites the deceased to return to the land of the living and reunite with their families for a celebration. This holiday originated several thousand years ago it is not the Mexican version of Halloween. Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that honors family members and loved ones who have passed onto the afterlife.
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