Throughout history, cultures across the globe have adopted creative ways to deal with death.
In ancient China, they craftedfunerary sculpturesto fill complex mausoleums.
During the Dutch Golden Age, artists touched on mortality in theirmemento moristill life paintings.
What isDia de los Muertos?
Specifically, the termDia de los Muertostraditionally refers toNovember 2, when deceased adults are commemorated.
However, Dia de los Muertos is also commonly used to denote the entire three-day fete.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Jose de Jesus Churion Del/Shutterstock)
During this time, theAztec Empireflourished, bringing with it a treasure trove of traditions.
Like many Mesoamerican peoples, the Aztecs viewed grief as disrespectful to the dead.
Fittingly, this mythological figure has historically been known as The Lady of the Dead.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Patryk Kosmider/Shutterstock
However, Catholic influences brought byconquistadorsin the 16th century prompted a shift to its present date.
Though often compared to Halloween, the Day of the Dead does not revolve around mischief or morbidity.
To achieve this, they often dazzle with bright colors and incorporate playful skull motifs.
Mictēcacihuātl depicted on the Codex Borgia manuscript (Photo:Wiki Art, Public domain)
Calaverita
Another celebratory event that transpires on the Day of the Dead is the hunt for acalaverita.
Additionally, mostofrendaswill also includepan de muertoand spirited drinks.
Pan de Muerto
This bread of the dead is a bang out of sweet roll.
Jakub Schikaneder, “All Souls' Day,” 1888 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
It is adorned with bone-like decorations and is typically flavored with anise seeds and orange zest.
Other times, however, their arrangement is ambiguous.
Statuettes of saints and other religious figures are popular, as arepapiermacheand clay figurines ofcalacas, or skeletons.
José Guadalupe Posada, “Calavera de la Catrina (Skull of the Female Dandy),” 1913 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
This vibrant feature-length film includes various traditions, drawing from different practices of the festival.
Some recognizable cultural and artistic elements include calaveras, ofrendas, andalebrijes.
This animated film provided a platform forDia de Muertosto a global audience.
This, alone, has had an immeasurable impact on the world.
The film was positively received by critics and audiences alike.
In fact,Cocobecame thehighest-grossing film of all timein the Mexican market.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Fer Gregory/Shutterstock
Thousands of performers dress up ascatrinasandcatrines, who dance and carry cheerful papier-mache skeletons.
Photo: diegograndi/Depositphotos
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Day of the Dead?
What is the Day of the Dead?
How is the Day of the Dead celebrated?
Dia de los Muertosdoes not revolve around mischief or morbidity.
Pulque (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Natalia Gurieva/Shutterstock)
Day of the Dead in Michoacan, Mexico (Photo:Stock Photosfrom DAVID PANIAGUA GUERRA/Shutterstock)
Photo: diegograndi/Depositphotos
