The Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico and Southwest states of the United States. It is celebrated on the 2nd of November every year. The Day of the Dead is famously known as Dia de los Muertos. This festival is to celebrate the death of ancestors by offering foods and beverages. Centuries ago, it was common to keep skulls as ornaments and display them during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth.
Furthermore, this festival is dedicated to the goddess "Mictecacihuatl" known as the 'Lady of the Dead'. During this festival, the dead ones are welcomed back home to spend a day with their family. Usually the family members build private altars or shrines containing the favourite foods and beverages as well as the photos of the deceased. Some of the families will have small picnic in the graveyard. They visit the cemetery one or two days earlier to clean and decorate graves with ofrendras (offerings) which include orange marigolds called 'cempasuchitl'. These flowers are believed to attract souls of the dead to the ofrendas.Besides that, pillows and blankets are kept at the alter so that the departed can rest after their long journey.
In certain areas, celebrants dress up as the departed. A common symbol of the holiday is the skull called calavera which celebrants represent in masks, and foods such as sugar calavera. Some people do believe that owning 'Dia de los Muertos' items can bring good luck. On the 1st of November, citizens of Mexico celebrates 'Dia de los Angelitos' also known as the Day of the Little Angels to remember the children that have died. Toys are presented to the dead children.
Furthermore, this festival is dedicated to the goddess "Mictecacihuatl" known as the 'Lady of the Dead'. During this festival, the dead ones are welcomed back home to spend a day with their family. Usually the family members build private altars or shrines containing the favourite foods and beverages as well as the photos of the deceased. Some of the families will have small picnic in the graveyard. They visit the cemetery one or two days earlier to clean and decorate graves with ofrendras (offerings) which include orange marigolds called 'cempasuchitl'. These flowers are believed to attract souls of the dead to the ofrendas.Besides that, pillows and blankets are kept at the alter so that the departed can rest after their long journey.
In certain areas, celebrants dress up as the departed. A common symbol of the holiday is the skull called calavera which celebrants represent in masks, and foods such as sugar calavera. Some people do believe that owning 'Dia de los Muertos' items can bring good luck. On the 1st of November, citizens of Mexico celebrates 'Dia de los Angelitos' also known as the Day of the Little Angels to remember the children that have died. Toys are presented to the dead children.
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