Day of the Dead in Mexico, What it is, Meaning and Origin

Is is a fact no one escapes death. However, despite the pain that its presence may cause, from our indigenous peoples we have learned to perceive it as stage in which we should rejoice because, as the writer Mario Benedetti would say: death is only a symptom that there was life.  As proof of this Mexicans have the celebration known as Day of the Dead.

This  celebration originates  from pre-Hispanic times.  In that period, many Mesoamerican ethnic groups worshiped death.  Among them was the Mexica whose gods in charge of defining the destiny of the souls were Mictecacihuatl and Mictlantecuhtli.  Both were lords of Mictlan or Place of the Dead.  However, to get there the souls had to deal with and overcome a series of obstacles in order to achieve eternal rest.

According to the Florentine Codex, the Mictlan was divided according to the manner of death.  For example, the Tonatiuh Ichan -house of the sun- entered those warriors who had died on the battlefield.  Another site was Cincalco, home of the god Tonacatecutli.  To this went those who died as infants because being  so young they were considered innocent.

However, for the souls to star the journey, the living  were in charge of accompanying them from a distance through a ritual.  This began with the death of a close being.  The death was announced with screams and cries emitted by the elderly women of the community.  Then the deceased was shrouded along with all his personal belongings.  Later, the bundle or body was symbolically fed with the most  exquisite delicacies.

After four days, the body was taken for burial or cremation.  From that moment on, the soul undertook the difficult journey.  Then, every year for four years, ostentatious ceremonies were held at the place where the ashes or body of the deceased were found.  Thus, this complex ritual not only helped souls rest but also facilitated the grieving process of family members.

The day of the Dead offerings are altars of pre-Hispanic origin.  These were dedicated to different deities and were placed on different dates.  However, that of the lord of the dead, Mictlantecuhtli, was celebrated in the month now know as November.  This coincidence was used by the evangelizers during La Colonia to make a Syncretism between Christianity and indigenous religious beliefs.

Originally, the altars were placed a couple of days before November 1 and 2. According to tradition, on these two dates we are visited by all the souls that detached themselves from their bodies, that is, our deceased.

• Photographs of the deceased.   It is very common to place portraits of loved ones who are no longer with us.  However, we suggest you put some of your favorite photos.
• Incense or copal:    The smoke that copal or incense gives  off  the olfactory guide so that  our dead can arrive with us.
• Candles:  These represent fire and light. Just like incense, they work as a guide for souls.
• Favorite drinks of the deceased and water.
• Cempasuchil flower:  This fluffy-looking flower is also known as the twenty-petal flower.  They are mainly used to decorate or create paths that guide the spirits of our dead.
• Calaveritas:  in ancient times real skulls were used.  Later they were replaced with skulls  made with sugar, chocolate or amaranth.   Each skull represents a deceased.
• Dead Bread.  In addition to being delicious, the bread of the dead is the representation of the skeleton of the deceased.

 

Enjoy this Mexican celebration at Turquesa Mexique   with this fabulous microfiber towel, to remind you how life es  una  FIESTA!!!