Tribute to Dia de Muertos: A spooky journey into the Day of the Dead

As the calendar approaches the end of October, an eerie chill creeps into the air, signalling the arrival of Dia de Muertos, the Day of the Dead. A hauntingly beautiful celebration steeped in rich tradition and cultural significance, this Mexican holiday has captured the world's fascination. But why exactly is the Day of the Dead celebrated? Why is it called by this eerie name and how is it observed? Join us as we delve into the haunting history and traditions of Dia de Muertos and unearth intriguing facts that will leave you spellbound.

What exactly is celebrated on the Day of the Dead?

Dia de Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday dedicated to honouring and remembering loved ones who have passed. This spooky celebration serves as a bridge between the living and the dead, where families believe the spirits of their departed relatives return to the earth to visit them.

How is Day of the Dead celebrated and why?

The Day of the Dead is a multi-day festival celebrated from 31 October to 2 November each year. Families create elaborate altars called "ofrendas" adorned with vibrant marigold flowers, candles, sugar skulls and their dearly departed's favourite foods and beverages. These ofrendas are believed to guide the spirits back home and offer them sustenance for their journey.

Cemeteries come alive during Dia de Muertos as families gather to clean and decorate graves, share stories of their loved ones and leave offerings. The streets are filled with colourful parades, vibrant costumes and eerie skull face paintings, as people come together to celebrate life, death and the enduring connection between the two.

Why is it called Day of the Dead?

The name "Day of the Dead" may sound ominous, but it reflects the holiday's dual nature. It is not a day of mourning but rather a joyful occasion to honour the departed. The term "death" in this context signifies the spiritual journey of the deceased souls, who are believed to return to celebrate with the living.

8 interesting facts about Day of the Dead

1. Marigolds and path of petals: Marigold flowers are used to create paths of petals leading spirits to their ofrendas and graves. Their vibrant colour and fragrance are believed to help guide family's loved one's spirits home.
2. Sugar skulls: Intricately decorated sugar skulls, or "calaveras," are a symbol of Dia de Muertos. They often bear the names of the deceased, often with a big smile as to laugh at death itself, and are both a sweet treat and a tribute.
3. Pan de Muerto: Families enjoy "Pan de Muerto," a sweet bread decorated with bone-shaped dough, during the festivities. It symbolises the circle of life and death.
4. Papel picado: Delicate, intricately cut paper banners called "papel picado" decorate altars and streets, adding an artistic and eerie touch to the celebration.  
5. All Souls' Day: Dia de Muertos coincides with All Saints' Day (November 1st) and All Souls' Day (November 2nd), making it a time when the living remember and pray for the souls of the departed.
6. La Catrina: The elegant and skeletal "La Catrina" is an iconic figure of Dia de Muertos. She represents the inevitability of death and the celebration of life.
7. Regional Variations: While Dia de Muertos is celebrated throughout Mexico, various regions have unique customs and traditions, making it a diverse and culturally rich holiday.
8. Continuing Evolution: Dia de Muertos continues to evolve, with modern interpretations and celebrations incorporating elements of pop culture, such as movie characters and political themes, into the traditional festivities.

11 Day of the Dead Quotes

1. "Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them." - George Eliot
2. "We never bury the dead, son. We take them with us. It's the price of living." - Sleepy Hollow 
3. "I knew a man who once said, 'Death smiles at us all; all a man can do is smile back.'" - Gladiator
4. "After all, to the well-organised mind, death is but the next great adventure." - J.K. Rowling
5. "The day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of eternity." - Seneca
6. "The dead cannot cry out for justice. It is a duty of the living to do so for them." - Lois McMaster Bujold
7. "From my rotting body, flowers shall grow, and I am in them, and that is eternity." - Edvard Munch
8. "The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living." - Marcus Tullius Cicero
9. "A human life is a story told by God." - Hans Christian Andersen
10. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." - Irish headstone 
11. "He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Dia de Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a special celebration that invites people to confront death with a sense of joy and remembrance. With its deep cultural roots, vibrant traditions and eerie allure, this holiday has captivated the world's imagination. As the marigold petals guide the spirits home, may the celebration of life and death forever dance in the shadows, reminding us of the enduring connection between the living and the departed.

By Kirsten Jakubenko