Opposite of a somber occasion, Día de los Muertos is full of lively festivities and playful takes on skulls and skeletons
Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is celebrated every year on Nov. 1 and 2.
A holiday mainly observed in Mexico, the date’s proximity to Halloween as well as the ubiquity of skeleton and skull-themed art and get-ups may lead some people to mistake this vibrant celebration of life and death as simply ‘Mexican Halloween.’
Although they do share common roots, Day of the Dead is focused on honouring the souls of the departed and embracing the idea of death as a part of life that is not to be feared. In contrast, Halloween mostly emphasizes costume-wearing and decorating with symbols such as ghosts, ghouls, spiders, pumpkins, etc.
According to History.com, the origins of Día de los Muertos can be traced back 3,000 years ago to the traditions of the Aztecs and other Indigenous tribes of Mesoamerica. Its modern form is considered a blend of Mesoamerican culture and Catholicism as brought to the land by Spanish conquistadors. Based on the belief that the border between the living and the dead dissolve in these two days, the holiday is seen as an opportunity to reunite with passed family members.
Day of the Dead is divided into three stages across the two days: Día de los Angelitos, Día de los Difuntos, and Día de los Muertos. The start of Día de los Angelitos, or the Day of the Little Angels, starts as of 12 a.m. on Nov. 1 and is dedicated to deceased children. Día de los Difuntos begins at midnight the following day, and is intended as a time to pay respects to departed adults. The final stage, Día de los Muertos, begins at 12 p.m. on Nov. 2. This serves as a “grand finale” to the celebrations, where people come together to honour the spirits of all the dead.
The holiday is centered around ofrendas, private altars built by families for their late relatives. Offerings in the form of the departed person’s favourite food and drinks would be set down on the altars, along with pictures of them and their significant personal belongings.
Marigolds are prevalent decorations on these elaborate shrines. According to dayofthedead.holiday, the flower’s vibrant colour and scent are believed to help lead spirits to their ofrendas. They are commonly referred to as Flor de Muerto, or Flower of the Dead, and symbolize the fragility of life.
Skeletal figures are also very prominent on Day of the Dead.
A popular icon is an elegantly-dressed female skeleton known as Catrina La Calavera Garbancera (meaning “Catrina the Dapper Skeleton”). History.com states that La Catrina was originally created as a satirical illustration meant to criticize Mexican politicians of the time, and has since become a symbol of this holiday; it is not uncommon to see women dressed as the character in festivals. Whether it is in artwork, masks, face paint, or handmade figurines, skeletons and skulls are portrayed in a playful manner and often in amusing situations. This is because of the belief that the spirits of the dead would be insulted by mourning and sadness.
Day of the Dead is mostly followed by people affiliated with Mexican culture, but you can also participate even if you are not necessarily part of a Mexican diaspora. For one, you can see if cities near you are hosting an event for this holiday. You can also create your own ofrendas dedicated to departed family members. Of course, you must be mindful not to appropriate the culture: It is advisable for people of non-Mexican heritage to avoid wearing traditional clothing or donning ‘sugar skull’ face paint.
To people unfamiliar with Mexican culture, the lively festivities of Día de los Muertos may strike them as odd. Mortality as a central theme might suggest that this is a holiday of mourning and somber reflection, but that is not the case. Families gather in high spirits, eat and drink together, and reminisce about beloved relatives who have passed. It is a unique holiday which embraces the notion that death is a natural part of life to be welcomed, not feared.
A version of this article appeared in print in The Ontarion issue 191.3 on Oct. 28, 2021.
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