1. Dia De los MuertosA Mexican Holiday JD Holloway
2. History Dia De los Muertos (day of the dead) began with the
beliefs of the indigenous people (Aztecs) in Mexico before the
arrival of the Spaniards.It was believed that the dead family
members would return to see their family again.Human Sacrifrice was
believed to have an influence for the return of the dead.When the
Spaniards arrived, the beliefs were mixed into the Christian
Calendar. The day of the dead was then celebrated on All Saints Day
and All Souls Day. (Nov. 1st and Nov. 2nd)
3. Modern day of the dead The day of the dead follows a three
day period.October 31st- Halloween- The gates of the land of the
dead open and the dead are allowed to returnNovember 1st- All
Saints day- Celebration of the lives of the dead childrenNovember
2nd- All Souls day- Celebration of the lives of dead adults.
4. Tradition-Burial celebration Family will decorate the burial
site of the loved one and usually have a picnic there.They
celebrate the life of their dead family members by playing music
and eating food that that member enjoyed.
5. Tradition-ALTARS Families build altars for their loved ones
and decorate it accordingly to celebrate their life.Usually consist
of:A picture of the deceased Favorite food and drink of the
deceased Pan de muertos (bread of the dead) FlowersCandles and
Incense Papel Picado (Tissue paper)
6. Food Pan de muertos(bread of the dead) is the most
significant of any food.The bread is baked with extra dough on top
and decorated with sugar bones.The bread is for the dead to
enjoy.Besides the pan de muertos, there are lots of candy skulls
and candy skeletons.Food is used as offerings.
7. Symbols Skeletons are shown as bright and alive rather than
dull and lifeless. They are shown this way to emphasize death is
not something to be feared.Papel Picado is a tissue paper with a
certain design on it. It is believed that when the paper moves in
the altar, that family member has returned.
8. Symbols Contd. Flowers, especially Marigolds, are shown to
be the flowers of the dead. The colors yellow and orange are
significant too. The orange represent the Aztecs and how they used
orange remember their dead. The yellow creates a path for the dead
to help lead them back home. That is why many altars have yellow
flowers in front.
9. Compared to my Celebrations Dia de los muertos is often
quickly compared to Halloween. This is due to the reference of the
dead. Dia de los muertos is much more alive and colorful. I see Dia
de los muertos more similar to the holiday of Memorial day. Dia de
los muertos celebrates the life of a deceased family member.
Memorial day remembers the men and women who died serving our
country.Memorial day may not be as festive as Dia de los muertos,
but they both hold the same principle. Remember those who helped
you.
10. Overview Dia de los muertos is a three day Mexican
celebration of the lives of deceased family members.It holds that
death should not be feared and that those in death must be
remembered.
11. Works Cited "Dia De Los Muertos." HolidayInsights.com.
Premier Star Company, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2014.King, Judy. "Los Dias
De Los Muertos (the Days of the Dead)." Mexconnect. Mexconnect.com,
1 Oct. 2003. Web. 06 Jan. 2014."November 2nd - the Day of the
Dead." The Day of the Dead. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2014.Reighn
Trading. "Dia De Los Muertos." History of Day of the Dead & the
Mexican Sugar Skull Tradition. Reighn Trading Company, n.d. Web. 06
Jan. 2014
