In Mexico, the Dead is both respected and feared, and it has been the topic of one of the most popular and beautiful traditions in our country. The Day of the Dead is traced back to Pre-Hispanic times , where skulls were displayed in public as a symbol of death and rebirth.
The festival that became the modern Day of the Dead fell in the ninth month of the Aztec calendar, at the beginning of August and was celebrated for an entire month. The festivities were dedicated to the “Lady of the Dead”, corresponding to the modern Catrina.
This tradition has changed through the centuries, mixing some ancient costumes which celebrated their divinities, with some catholic traditions honoring the dead loved ones. All Saints´Day on November 1st remembers deceased children and infants (also known as Día de los Angelitos) and All Souls´ Day, on November 2nd is to remember deceased adults.
The orange Mexican marigolds, called cempasúchitl, are known as the “Flower of the Dead”, cultivated especially for this celebration. They are used in the shrines, or altars, and are believed to attract the souls of the beloved ones back to their homes. Apart from the flowers, the altars also include candles, sugar skulls, the deceased´s pictures, favorite food, alcohol and some personal items.
Sugar skulls are gifts that can be given to both the living and the dead. Other holiday foods include pan de muerto, sweet egg bread made in various shapes from plain rounds to skulls and rabbits, often decorated with white frosting to look like twisted bones.
On this special day, cemeteries all around the country get extremely crowded. Thousands of people gather to clean the graves of their loved ones. They bring flowers and live music, making it a very happy reunion.
The Dead has become a very important feature in the Mexican popular art, and some artists have created very distinguished characters. José Guadalupe Posada created a famous print of a figure he called “La Calavera de la Catrina” (“Calavera of the female dandy”), as a parody of a Mexican upper-class female. Posada´s striking image of a costumed female with a skeleton face has become associated with the Day of the Dead, and Catrina figures are a prominent part of these celebrations.
Article Courtesy of *Carmen Garcia
Carmen García is a sales associate with Prudential California Realty – Vallarta Division. She can be contacted at carmen.garcia@prurealtypv.com