Who said the dead can’t have a drink or two? 5. Tamales, water, candles, and even tequila are often among these offerings. Often multi-tiered and colorful, these structures hold items special to the departed including their favorite foods, toys, photos, flowers, and more. agcuesta/iStock via Getty Imagesįrom papel picado (art made from tissue paper) to sugar calaveras, or skulls, the Day of the Dead is famous for the elaborate altars that people create to receive the dead after their arduous journey back to Earth. Altars and offerings are used to honor dead loved ones on Día de los Muertos.Ī traditional Día de los Muertos altar. In Guatemala, enormous kites soar over the sky in reference to the ancient belief that the flying objects of art represented the merging of the underworld and the world of the living. Each region has its own customs and special take on the holiday. Over the years, Día de los Muertos and renditions of it have transcended geographic borders, eventually making their way from Mexico and other Latin American countries to the United States. Día de los Muertos is celebrated in the U.S., Mexico, and Latin America. Adults who have passed are honored the following day on All Souls Day. A popular belief among people who celebrate Día de los Muertos is that deceased children and infants are the first to complete their trip home. Departed children are commemorated on this day. Día de los Muertos is a two-day celebration.Īccording to the Catholic calendar, November 1 is recognized as All Saints Day, a religious holiday during which many Roman Catholics and Christians celebrate all saints in heaven. It was through the fusion of customs from pre-Columbian Mexico and Europe that this festivity was created to invoke a visit from the departed through altars, offerings, and celebrations. In Medieval Europe, similar traditions were common in Spain to guide the dead souls back to the living world. Over 3000 years ago, Indigenous groups in present-day Mexico like the Aztecs held rituals with food and offerings to honor the dead and their journey to a final resting place. Día de los Muertos is a Mexican celebration inspired by Indigenous and Spanish customs. Learn more about the Mexican holiday of Día de los Muertos with these 11 interesting facts. It’s a celebration of life, death, and an invitation for the deceased to return home once again to those who love them on Earth. There are a myriad of ways to cope with the loss of a loved one, but in Latin America, el Día de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead, is much more than that.

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