Día de los Día de los MuertosMuertos

HistoryHistory What is it?What is it?

Los Dias de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a Los Dias de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexico holiday honoring the dead. Los Dias de traditional Mexico holiday honoring the dead. Los Dias de los Muertos is not a sad time, but instead a time of los Muertos is not a sad time, but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing. remembering and rejoicing.

When is it?When is it? It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween

and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). Day (November 1st and 2nd).

Where is it celebrated?Where is it celebrated? It is celebrated in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and other It is celebrated in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and other

areas in Central and South America populated with the areas in Central and South America populated with the Latino ethnic background. The Day of the Dead is also Latino ethnic background. The Day of the Dead is also celebrated in areas of the United States, such as California, celebrated in areas of the United States, such as California, Texas, and many others, in which the Mexican/American Texas, and many others, in which the Mexican/American heritage exists. heritage exists.

AltarsAltars In the homes families In the homes families

arrange arrange ofrenda'sofrenda's or or "altars" with flowers, "altars" with flowers, bread, fruit and candy. bread, fruit and candy. Pictures of the deceased Pictures of the deceased family members are added. family members are added. In the late afternoon In the late afternoon special all night burning special all night burning candles are lit - it is time candles are lit - it is time to remember the departed to remember the departed - the old ones, their - the old ones, their parents and grandparents.parents and grandparents.

Altars should include:Altars should include: A picture of the one being  A picture of the one being 

remembered remembered Items they were fond of Items they were fond of Something to snack on Something to snack on Candles Candles Flowers Flowers GiftsGifts

FoodFood

Pan de los MuertosPan de los Muertos Special loaves of bread are baked, called Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan pan

de muertosde muertos, and decorated with "bones. , and decorated with "bones.

FlowersFlowers During los Dias de los Muertos the yellow During los Dias de los Muertos the yellow

marigold symbolizes the short duration of life. marigold symbolizes the short duration of life. Other flowers commonly seen during this Other flowers commonly seen during this

celebration include the white amaryllis, wild celebration include the white amaryllis, wild orchids, baby's breath and ruby coxcombs are orchids, baby's breath and ruby coxcombs are offered as adornment and enticement for the offered as adornment and enticement for the returning spirits. returning spirits.

Wreaths made of flowers, both real and plastic, Wreaths made of flowers, both real and plastic, are often placed on the grave sites.are often placed on the grave sites.

Papel PicadoPapel Picado

Papel Picado is a Papel Picado is a traditional art used to traditional art used to decorate homes, decorate homes, businesses, markets and businesses, markets and altars in preparation for altars in preparation for the Day of the Dead. the Day of the Dead.

The thin tissue paper The thin tissue paper images are usually cut in images are usually cut in large quantities and large quantities and hung in repetitious hung in repetitious patterns.patterns.

SkeletonsSkeletons Skeletons and skulls are found everywhere. Skeletons and skulls are found everywhere.

Chocolate skulls, marzipan coffins, and white Chocolate skulls, marzipan coffins, and white chocolate skeletons. chocolate skeletons.

Handmade skeleton figurines, called cHandmade skeleton figurines, called calacasalacas, , are especially popular. are especially popular. CalacasCalacas usually show an usually show an active and joyful afterlife. Figures of musicians, active and joyful afterlife. Figures of musicians, generals on horseback, even skeletal brides, in generals on horseback, even skeletal brides, in their white bridal gowns marching down the their white bridal gowns marching down the aisles with their boney grooms. aisles with their boney grooms.

Sugar SkullsSugar Skulls Sugar skull making is an artisan trade Sugar skull making is an artisan trade

that has been passed down through that has been passed down through generations. generations.

They are sometimes eaten but their main They are sometimes eaten but their main function is to adorn altars and tombs.function is to adorn altars and tombs.

Processions/VigilsProcessions/Vigils Vigils take place in the cemetery. Vigils take place in the cemetery. Music and dancing is often done. Music and dancing is often done. Offerings are carried in the procession to Offerings are carried in the procession to

be placed on the graves. be placed on the graves.