El Día de los Muertos

​Day of the Dead

is a Mexican Holiday

​The day of the dead is a festival that honors the dead. It's not a sad day nor is

it scary. It is a joyful celebration and remembers the loved ones who have died.​

​The day of the dead is a traditional​

Mexican celebration but its popularity has expanded to other countries throughout the world.​

​The day of the dead is celebrated

during the Catholic feasts of All Saints day on November 1 and The Day of the Faithfully Departed on November 2.​

​People believe that on Day of the Dead the dead return to earth to visit their loved ones.

​Also during this time of year, monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico for the winter. People believe that butterflies are the souls of their loved ones.

In preparation for the Day of the Dead, people clean and decorate the tumbs of their loved ones.​

​People make offerings

en their houses in order to honor their loved ones.​

​The offerings

usually include:

​

-fotos

-candles

-flowers

-sugar skulls​

-their favorite foods​

​The candles are used on the offerings

in order to illuminate

the path of the spirits of loved ones.

​The smell of incense also guides spirits.

​The offerings

can include fruits, foods, and favorite drinks, and other things that the dead would enjoy (used to enjoy).​

​People eat "dead bread"

​and also use it to decorate the offerings. Generally it has the shape of bones on top.

​

​Cempasúchil is the most popular flower used in order to decorate for Day of the Dead.

​

It's name comes from Nahúatl, the language of the Aztecs.​

​"Picked

paper" is a decoration made from cut paper in complex designs.

​The "calacas" are skeletons that represent or symbolize the Day of the dead.

​Calacas represent the happiness in life after death with clothing, smiles, musical instruments etc.

​The calaveras or skulls are used in order to decorate the offerings. Sometimes they are made of sugar or chocolate.

​Some people dress up and put make up on themselves like skulls or skeletons.

​Here is a list of all the items that a family gathers to use on an authentic ofrenda.

​Here are some websites that will help you further explore and understand this holiday in detail.