Embracing Death: The Celebration of El Dia de los Muertos

​

In the Aztec calendar, this ritual fell roughly at the end of the Gregorian month of July and the beginning of August. In the post-conquest era it was moved by Spanish priests so that it coincided with the Christian holiday of All Hallows Eve “Dia de Todos Santos,” The result is that Mexicans now celebrate the day of the dead during the first two days of November.

​

Embracing Death: Dia de Muertos

Multiple Choice

Why was El Dia de Muertos moved to November?

• To coincide with All Hallows Eve
• To avoid conflict with other holidays
• To align with the Aztec calendar
• To honor a specific saint

Multiple Choice

When did the Aztecs celebrate their month-long holiday dedicated to the dead?

• b) October and November
• d) February and March
• c) December and January
• a) July and August

A celebration of life and death in Mexican culture, El Dia de Muertos is a vibrant and joyful holiday that honors deceased loved ones. Through colorful altars, lively parades, and delicious food, this tradition embraces death as a natural part of life.

Dia de Muertos

A celebration of life and ancestors. Origin: Aztecs dedicated an entire month to the dead. Goddess: Mictecacihuatl presided over festivities. Traditions: Skeletons dance and sing, altars adorned with flowers, fruit, and candy. Meaning: Embracing death as a natural part of life.

El Dia de los Muertos

To decorate with flowers, fruit, and candy. Altars are adorned with marigolds, sugar skulls, and favorite foods of the deceased. These offerings are believed to attract and guide the spirits of loved ones back to the living world for a joyful reunion. It is a beautiful way to honor and remember the departed.

Multiple Choice

What is the significance of the altars in the celebration of El Dia de Muertos?

• To honor the goddess Mictecacihuatl

• To decorate with flowers, fruit, and candy

• To embrace death as a natural part of life

• To dance and sing with skeletons

Dia de Muertos

The Celebration of Dia de Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday that takes place on the first two days of November. It originated in the Aztec calendar and has evolved to include visits to graveyards. Families spruce up the sites of their deceased loved ones, creating altars with their favorite foods, drinks, and belongings. This celebration is a way to honor and remember the departed, embracing death as a natural part of life.

Multiple Choice

When Dia de Muertos take place?

• October 31st
• December 25th
• September 15th
• November 1st and 2nd

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of Dia de Muertos?

• To celebrate the Aztec calendar

• To visit graveyards

• To honor and remember the departed

• To embrace death as a natural part of life

El Dia de los Muertos

To honor and remember the departed. This Mexican holiday is a celebration of life and death. Families create altars with photos, favorite foods, and marigolds to guide the spirits of their loved ones back to the living world. It is a time of remembrance, joy, and connection with ancestors.

El Dia de los Muertos

Embracing Death: The Celebration of El Dia de los Muertos. Ofrendas are set out for returning souls. Yellow marigolds, known as Cempasúchil, are used to communicate the richness of the offering. Families spread paths of marigold petals to aid the souls in finding their way home. Handmade skeletons, candy skulls, sugar skeletons, and sweet pan de muerto are part of the celebration.

Multiple Choice

What are some elements of the celebration of El Dia de los Muertos?

• Yellow marigolds

• Red roses

• Blue daisies

• Purple tulips

Multiple Choice

How Yellow marigolds, known as?

• Rosas

• Cempasùchil

• Margarita

• Tulipán

El Dia de los Muertos

Trivia: Yellow marigolds are an essential element of the celebration. They are believed to guide the spirits of the deceased to their altars. El Dia de los Muertos is a vibrant Mexican holiday that honors and remembers loved ones who have passed away. It is a time of joyful celebration, with colorful decorations, delicious food, and lively music and dancing. Altars are created to welcome the spirits, adorned with photos, favorite foods, and calaveras (sugar skulls).

El Dia de los Muertos

Celebrate the afterlife with Calacas figurines. Influenced by Celtics, Romans, and Christian holy days, this Mexican tradition also incorporates Aztec beliefs. Aztecs believed the spirits of the dead returned as hummingbirds and butterflies. Ancient Aztec monuments depict this connection with the Monarch butterfly.

Honoring the Dead

• Calacas figurines hold great significance in the Mexican tradition of El Dia de Muertos.

• They are used to honor the spirits of the dead.

• This tradition celebrates the afterlife and incorporates Aztec beliefs.

Multiple Choice

What is the significance of Calacas figurines in the Mexican tradition of El Dia de Muertos?

• To honor the spirits of the dead

• To celebrate the afterlife

• To depict the connection between the dead and Monarch butterflies

• To incorporate Aztec beliefs