Day of the Dead Celebrates Lives Lived

The Day of the Dead celebrations held on Novemberpicnic in the cemetery, bringing the deceased's favorite
1st and 2nd acknowledge the culmination of the lifefood and drink.
cycle, and that death will come to us all. While it directlyWhen the Church granted magical curative powers to
follows Halloween, the holiday is not designed to scarerelics, it was extended to the use of milagros, Spanish
or bring sadness.for miracles, metal charms in the shape of body parts
The Day of the Dead allows the living to honor thosethat need healing. This gave rise to specially shaped
who have died - family, friends, ancestors, and pets.Day of the Dead foods, such as sugar skulls and pan
While its origins are from ancient Meso-Americande muerto, sweet egg bread baked in the shape of
cultures, which range from Mexico to Honduras and Elskulls or bones. These can be offerings to the dead or
Salvador, anyone can adopt this annual observanceeaten by the living.
and tailor this colorful celebration to remember theirColorful parades are held with people dressed as
own deceased loved ones.skeletons, a reminder that in death, we actually
Historycontinue life. Skull masks and artwork of skeletons
Starting with the Halloween connection, going backdoing everyday activities, such as dancing, bicycle
about 3,000 years, the ancient Celtic people believedriding, and eating and drinking, remind us that the
that on October 31st the boundary between the livingeverlasting soul continues on, separate from the body.
and the dead dissolved, allowing spirits of theThe celebration continues in the home, welcoming the
deceased to cross over into the living world. Todead with respect and devotion. Some families will
combat the Druid festival Samhain (pronouncedmake an elaborate dinner, set out the food and not eat
Sow-wen) held this time of year, the Catholic Churchit until the next day, to let the spirits eat first. They may
moved All Saints' Day - a.k.a. All Hallows' Day - fromalso make the bed with fresh sheets to allow the
mid-May to November 1. Halloween comes fromspirits to rest after their long journey to earth. And they
abbreviating All Hallows' Even, the evening before theconstruct ofrendas, individualized altars with offerings
day.to maintain relations with the dead.
Meanwhile, over in the Western Hemisphere,Making an Ofrenda or Altar
indigenous peoples such as the Aztec, Maya, Olmec,You don't have to be Mexican to honor your loved
Toltec and other tribes in Mexico held rituals celebratingones with a Day of the Dead altar in your home and
the deaths of ancestors during the month of August. Itwelcome their spirits for a visit. Start by setting up a
corresponded with a festival dedicated to a goddesstable with photos of the deceased, and their ashes if
called Mictecacihuatl, The Lady of the Dead. Whenyou have them. Don't forget to include departed pets!
Catholic Spanish Conquistadors came to the NewDecorate around the photos with flowers and candles.
World more than 500 years ago, they tried toSet out foods and beverages that they used to enjoy.
eradicate these native rituals that seemed to mockPlay the music they loved. Put art objects they
death and symbolized death and rebirth.collected or artwork they created on or near the altar.
The ancient rituals refused to die in the face of forcedWrite messages to them and place the notes next to
conversion. So to make the ritual more Christian, thetheir photos. Include items from pets' lives, such as
Spaniards moved it to correspond with All Saints' Daytoys, leashes, treats, and tags.
and All Souls' Day, November 1 and 2. In Mexico, DiaTraditional ofrendas have items that represent the four
De Los Muertos as it is known in Spanish, often honorselements of earth, air, fire and water. A glass of water
deceased children and infants on the first day, andis included, to give the spirits a drink after their long
deceased adults on the second day.journey. Tissue paper sheets with elaborate cutout
The early Meso-American attitude was that life is adesigns, called papel picado, represent air, as they
dream, and death is the awakening to real life. Themove with the gentlest breeze. Flowers and a bowl of
dead are considered to have semi-divine status, givensalt often represent the earth, and candles provide fire.
permission to return once a year. They are to beMarigolds are the flower of choice for Day of the
welcomed, not feared.Dead decorating. Their pungent scent is said to guide
How Day of the Dead is Celebratedsouls to earth, and marigolds are often still blooming in
Today, Day of the Dead celebrations are held inlate October. Flowers can be arranged in an arch,
Mexico, parts of Central and Latin America, in thealong with sheets of papel picado, representing the
Southwest U.S., and some European countries. Inconnection from earth to heaven.
Mexico, the celebrations are elaborate, even more soCreate the altar prior to Halloween, and keep it up for
than Christmas observances. Parades and profuseas long as it feels right. Photograph the altar for
decorations in homes and cemeteries make this timeposterity. Each year presents a new opportunity to
of year a tourist spectacle.remember and honor those who meant so much to us
Families visit cemeteries to clean the graves of lovedwhile they lived. Inevitably, there will be new faces to
ones, decorate them with flowers and candles, andadd as the years go by.
commune with the spirits of the departed. Often, they