Day of the Dead, A Unique Mexican Holiday:

Day of the Dead is a Mexican festival that honors deceased loved ones. Celebrated from October 31 through to November 2nd, this holiday coincides with the Catholic feast days of All Saints and All Souls. The festival's origins are rooted in a combination of elements of indigenous beliefs and Catholic teachings, but it has evolved into a holiday which is truly Mexican.

Prehispanic Beliefs About Death:

There were many ethnic groups living in Mesoamerica in ancient times, as there still are today. The different groups had and still have different customs, but they also had many things in common. A belief in an afterlife was very widespread, and dates back to over 3500 years ago. In many archaeological sites in Mexico, the ornate way in which people were buried shows evidence of the belief in the afterlife, and the fact that tombs were often constructed below homes, meant that deceased loved ones would remain close to their living family members.

The Aztecs believed there were several planes of existence which were separate but interrelated to the one on which we dwell. They envisioned a world with 13 overworlds or layers of heavens above the earthly terrain, and nine underworlds. Each of these levels had particular gods who ruled them and their own characteristics. When someone died it was believed that the place their soul would go to depended on the manner in which they died.

Warriors who died in battle, women who died during childbirth, and victims of sacrifice were considered the most fortunate in the afterlife.

There was a month-long celebration in which the ancestors were honored and offerings were left to them. This festival took place in the month of August and paid homage to the lord and lady of the underworld, Mictlantecuhtli and his wife Mictlancíhuatl.

The Catholic Influence:

When the Spaniards arrived in the sixteenth century, they introduced the Catholic faith to the indigenous people of Mesoamerica, and tried to stamp out the native religion. They were only moderately successful, and the Catholic teachings intermingled with the native beliefs to create new traditions. The festival related to death and celebrating the ancestors was moved to coincide with the Catholic holidays of All Saints Day (November 1st) and All Souls Day (November 2nd).

Mocking Death:

Many images that are associated with Day of the Dead appear to be mocking death. Playful skeletons, decorated skulls, and toy coffins are ubiquitous. Jose Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913) was an illustrator and engraver from Aguascalientes who satirized death by depicting clothed skeletons performing everyday activities. During the rule of president Porfirio Diaz, Posada made a social statement by poking fun at politicians and the ruling class - particularly Diaz and his wife. He invented the character La Catrina, a well-dressed female skeleton, which has become one of the main symbols of Day of the Dead.

Day of the Dead Today:

Day of the Dead is a continually evolving tradition, and Mexico's proximity to the United States has enhanced the overlap that exists between Halloween and Day of the Dead. Children dress up in costume and, in the Mexican version of trick-or-treating, go out to pedir muertos (ask for the dead). In some locations, instead of candy, they'll be given items off the family Day of the Dead altar.

Conversely, in the United States, more people are celebrating Day of the Dead, taking the opportunity to honor and remember their deceased loved ones by creating altars and participating in other Day of the Dead festivities.

Here are some ideas for how to celebrate Day of the Dead.