Dia De Los Muertos

Often mistaken for a morbid affair, Dia de los Muertos is far more festive as can be seen by its history, symbolism, and tradition. Its history begins long before the Spaniards Christianized Mexico. The Symbolism is used often and tradition is an integral part of the festivities, which have evolved for thousands of years. All of these contribute to the lively mix of what we know today as the Day of the Dead.

The origins of Dia de los Muertos can be traced back to the natives of Pre-Spaniard Mexico and the Aztec celebration of Miccailhuitontli. This was the Aztec month of the Lady of the Dead and was originally celebrated during the summer months. The special occasion paid homage to the dead, especially to the children. It was later moved to align with the Christian holiday, All Hallows Eve. It was moved because the Spaniard evangelists and missionaries who could not eradicate the occasion, which they saw at first as mockery of death. So instead of trying to get rid of it, they added Christian values and moved the festival to the holiday that also pays homage to the dead in an attempt to make it into a Christian occasion that celebrates death, rather than mocks it.

Symbolism is abundant with the most prominent symbols being the special meal for the dead, presentations on altars, calacas, and sugar skulls. The meals are usually spicy or sugary and often mean to further liven the festivities. Among the foods used is pan de muerto, or the bread of the dead. These foods are often made into offerings and are usually placed at a gravesite or altars. Altars also play an important role as a place to offer the deceased and make a connection with them. Calcas are special wooden masks made into the ever-famous skull shaped which has become the most prominent image when thinking about the Day of the Dead. The skull used as the shape for the famous sugary treats created especially for the occasion. These sugar skulls have the names