Dia De Los Muertos

THE HISTORY

• Mexican holiday celebrated in the Central and Southern regions. • Origins can be traced to an

Aztec festival dedicated to Mictecacihuatl, goddess of the underworld.• Originally celebrated in the

9th month of the Aztec calendar (August), later changed to November 1st and 2nd.

Photo from mudworks.tumbler.com

EVENTS

• 3 day festival• Day 1: October 31- The gates of heaven open

at midnight and celebration begins, welcoming the “angelitos”, or spirits of children who have passed.

• Day 2: November 1- Adult spirits are welcomed and celebrated.

• Day 3: November 2- “All souls day”. Families join at the cemeteries to decorate graves of loved ones with flowers, “muertos” or bread of the dead, sugar skulls, and traditional foods.

PHOTO CRED. SATURNSATORI .BLOGSPOT.COMCELEBRATION OF ALL SOULS DAY- OAXACA

MOST COMMON SYMBOLSPan de Muertos- • sweet roll often decorated

with bone shaped pieces.• The bones represent souls

in heaven. • It is eaten at the gravesite

or altar of the deceased.

Cempasuchil or Marigold• Originated in the Aztec

world.• Marigolds placed at the

altars invite the souls to feast on the offerings that families have prepared.

SYMBOLS CONTINUEDSugar Skulls• Labor intensive artform. • Represent departed souls

and generally include a name on the skull.

• Representative of the folk art style of Mexico

La Calavera Catrina• Depicted by printmaker

Jose Guadalupe Posada, originally as a jab at “rich people”

• Art image of Mictecacihuatl

• Has become the mainstream figure of Dia de los Muertos.

INTERESTING FACTS

• Some families spend two month’s income on honoring their deceased family members. • Believed that if they do not celebrate every year,

their family member will be stuck between heaven and the living. • Festivals are held in many countries of the world,

popularizing the image of Mictecacihuatl (i.e. Halloween costumes, impressive artwork). • It has become so popular, a MOVIE has even

been made about the holiday!

REFERENCES

• http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/245/• La Catrina: Mexico’s grande dame of death.

Accessed from http://www.sfgate.com/mexico/mexicomix/article/La-Catrina-Mexico-s-grande-dame-of-death-2318009.php• History of the Day of the Dead. Accessed from

http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/support/dodhistory.html