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By Aubrey Andrade
Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated in Latin America and the United States, split between the living and the dead. The holiday, also known as Día de los Muertos, has been practiced for centuries to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. All Saints' Day, a holiday introduced by the Spanish in Mexico during the early 1500s, was combined with the ancient Aztec tradition of celebrating ancestors to create Día de los Muertos. The celebration takes place on November 1st and 2nd each year to pay tribute to and celebrate the lives of those who have passed on.
Día de los Muertos is a holiday that has its roots in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. Ancient Aztec rituals often perceived death as an essential and cyclical part of life, which is why we continue to practice the Day of the Dead tradition today. On this occasion, families and friends come together to celebrate and honor the lives of those who have passed away through storytelling, dancing, music, and more. Although everyone celebrates this holiday in different ways, most people choose to leave flowers at the gravesite rather than create an altar or a pathway.
According to an article by The Daily, ofrendas or offerings are central to the celebration of Día de los Muertos. Making an ofrenda is one of the most common traditions about Día de los Muertos. It symbolizes the creation of a doorway for the deceased to visit their living relatives. These altars are built and decorated with photos, Calaveras candles, papel picado (paper banner), letters, and so much more.
Many altars are designed with three levels that symbolize Earth, Heaven, and Purgatory. Others feature seven levels, representing the steps that souls must take to rest in peace. These boxes or leaves are then covered with either white or black cloth. The color white symbolizes purity, hope, and innocence, especially when someone has died young, and black is shown to respect the dead.
Food plays a significant role in an ofrenda as it nourishes the dead after their journey. It also serves as an enticement and motivation for them to come back to the land of the living.
Pan de Muerto, also known as “the bread of the dead,” is a traditional Mexican sweet bread that's shaped like a skull. It is usually brightly decorated to represent the deceased and is considered an example of a traditional food in Mexican culture.
Marigolds are believed to serve as a pathway to the mortal world, guiding lost souls to their appropriate destination. During the Day of the Dead, their vibrant appearance and scattered petals can be seen throughout the altar. This bright orange and yellow flower is used to signify the beauty and fragility of life. While many people believe that the Día de los Muertos is exclusively a Mexican tradition, other countries such as Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Peru also celebrate this holiday. Each country has its signature when it comes to Día de los Muertos.
“My parents have a tradition of attending a morning church service, followed by a feast where we pray for our loved ones who have passed away. We hope that they are in a peaceful state. Additionally, we keep portraits of them in the living room as a way to remember them,” said BGHS senior Nayeli Andres Lopez.
Day of the Dead is an annual holiday celebrated in Latin America and the United States, merging the ancient Aztec tradition of celebrating ancestors with All Saints' Day. It is a unique and beautiful way of honoring and remembering loved ones who have passed away.
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