Dia de Los Muertos

Dia de Los Muertos is a holiday that was originally celebrated in Mexico, first thought of by the Ancient Aztecs, to remember, honor, and celebrate those who have departed. On this day, many Mexican families celebrate their deceased family members death, in a happy and joyful party. Many traditions such as making food that was liked by the deceased member, and creating an ofrenda, or altar, for the family member. The first day that it is celebrated is November 1st, same as All Saints Day for the Catholic religion, which is a day for honoring the deceased infants and children. The second day, November 2nd, is a day for honoring the deceased adults of the family. This day is All Souls day for the Catholic religion. Today, this is celebrated in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, Texas, and many other areas in Central and South America. The holiday, Dia de Los Muertos, has many traditions involved for honoring their dead family members. One tradition that is common is preparing a meal, or meals, that was favored by the deceased family members, it could very from tamales, mole, or pan de muertos. Another common tradition is decorating the grave sites of their deceased family members. The family would decorate the grave with colorful wreaths, flowers such as Marigolds, or even a new coat of paint for the grave. A glasses of water was often put on for the soul to drink after their long journey of their new stage of life. Then, when the decorating is done, they would prepare a picnic or a feast in the graveyard, or even hold a Mass. Dia de Los Muertos had the big tradition of creating an ofrenda, or altar for their family members. This was very common in honoring and remembering their death. The altar was made out of simple boxes, or a table, covered in a tablecloth. The decorations usually consisted of a picture of the deceased member, items or foods they were fond of, candy skulls, flowers, which symbolize the short duration of life, and papel picados, which we tissue paper decorations used on altars or put up on wall of homes or work offices. Dia de Los Muertos was a big holiday to remember those who have died. Mexicans thought of death as a new stage of life, rather than a sad end to life. This view is different from our view of death, whereas our view is sad and depressing, while theirs is also sad, but very joyful also.