What is Day of the Dead? What to Know About Día de los Muertos
While trick-or-treaters may have flooded Chicago streets on Halloween, many soon after began preparing to celebrate a rich cultural tradition that originated in Mexico: Día de los Muertos.
A Celebration of Life
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a two-day celebration that is meant to reunite the living and the dead, and is often viewed as a celebration of life for loved ones who have passed away.
A Celebration of Death, Not Mourning
Contrary to the mourning of most gatherings surrounding death, Día de los Muertos is viewed as a yearly occasion where the dead rejoin their families in celebration.
Colorful Skulls and Altars
Among the most recognizable features of Día de los Muertos celebrations are colorful skulls, often depicting death in a light-hearted and humorous way.
From sugar candies and clay decorations to face painting, skulls, or calaveras, are the most ubiquitous component to the tradition.
The Celebration
The celebration begins on November 1 at midnight with “Día de los Angelitos” or “Day of the little angels,” where loved ones who died as children are believed to be reunited with their families for 24 hours.
During this time, an altar, known as an ofrenda, is accompanied by the child’s favorite snacks, toys and photographs to encourage a visit from their departed children. The names of the children are often written on a sugar skull.
On November 2 at midnight, “Día de los Difuntos” is celebrated to remember departed adults who are loved ones.
While the night is often also a light-hearted celebration filled with laughter and memories, the ofrendas take on a decidedly more adult theme for Día de los Difuntos, with tequila, mezcal and pulque often included while playing games together.
The culmination of the celebration then begins at noon on November 2, when Día de los Muertos is officially celebrated, remembering the spirits of all of the departed.
This part of the celebration is public, often featuring festivals in cities with parades and calavera painted faces in vibrant remembrance of loved ones.
Cemetery visits are also common during this part of the holiday, when marigold flowers, gifts and sugar skulls with the departed’s name on them laid near the gravestone.
History and Cultural Significance
According to Chicago’s National Museum of Mexican Art, Día de los Muertos began in the last 500 years as a combination of ancient indigenous cosmology and Roman Catholic tradition.
The Día de los Muertos exhibit at the museum this year, “Where the Past is the Present,” is dedicated to Ray Patlán, a Chicago muralist and painter who died this April, the museum said.
“Art is a reflection of society, and with this celebration, all those who have died from violence are remembered in this exhibition,” the museum said in a post.
Conclusion
Día de los Muertos is a unique and vibrant celebration that honors the lives of loved ones who have passed away, rather than mourning their death. It is a celebration that values the cycle of life and death, and the connection between the living and the dead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between Día de los Muertos and Halloween?
A: While both celebrations involve dressing up in costume and decorating, Día de los Muertos is a cultural celebration that honors the dead, whereas Halloween is a commercial holiday that focuses on scaring and trick-or-treating.
Q: What is an ofrenda?
A: An ofrenda is an altar that is created to honor the deceased, typically with their favorite foods, photos, and mementos.
Q: What is the significance of sugar skulls in Día de los Muertos?
A: Sugar skulls, or calaveras, are a symbol of the celebration, often depicting death in a light-hearted and humorous way. They are also used to honor the dead, with the names of the deceased written on them.
