DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS

????? What is it? What is it? Los Dias de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexico holiday honoring the dead. Los Dias de los Muertos is not a sad time, but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing. Los Dias de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexico holiday honoring the dead. Los Dias de los Muertos is not a sad time, but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing. When is it? When is it? It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). Where is it celebrated? Where is it celebrated? It is celebrated in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and other areas in Central and South America populated with the Latino ethnic background. The Day of the Dead is also celebrated in areas of the United States, such as California, Texas, and many others, in which the Mexican/American heritage exists. It is celebrated in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and other areas in Central and South America populated with the Latino ethnic background. The Day of the Dead is also celebrated in areas of the United States, such as California, Texas, and many others, in which the Mexican/American heritage exists.

MISCONCEPTIONS It is not the Mexican version of Halloween. Mexicans have celebrated the Day of the Dead since the year 1800 B.C. It is not the Mexican version of Halloween. Mexicans have celebrated the Day of the Dead since the year 1800 B.C. It is not scary or morbid. There are no images of dead people, ghosts, witches, or the devil. It is not scary or morbid. There are no images of dead people, ghosts, witches, or the devil.

MISCONCEPTIONS It is not a cult. This ritual has nothing to do with cults. It is a Catholic Christian ritual intermixed with folk culture. Going to mass is an essential aspect of this celebration. It is not a cult. This ritual has nothing to do with cults. It is a Catholic Christian ritual intermixed with folk culture. Going to mass is an essential aspect of this celebration. It doesn’t honor death, but our dead relatives. We welcome the opportunity to reflect upon our lives, our heritage, our ancestors and the meaning and purpose of our own existence. It doesn’t honor death, but our dead relatives. We welcome the opportunity to reflect upon our lives, our heritage, our ancestors and the meaning and purpose of our own existence.

MISCONCEPTIONS Altars or ofrendas are not for worshiping but for offering our love and remembering our departed family members. Altars or ofrendas are not for worshiping but for offering our love and remembering our departed family members. It is not a sad ritual. It’s a day of happiness because we will be remembering our loved ones. Although when in the graveyard, people assume an introspective attitude. It is not a sad ritual. It’s a day of happiness because we will be remembering our loved ones. Although when in the graveyard, people assume an introspective attitude. It is about Love not Fear. It is about Love not Fear.

MISCONCEPTIONS It is not a “strange” ritual. It is very similar to going to a grave and leaving flowers or stuffed animals, lighting a candle to remember the deceased. It is not a “strange” ritual. It is very similar to going to a grave and leaving flowers or stuffed animals, lighting a candle to remember the deceased. It is not a careless or fearless confrontation of death. It is a moment to reflect upon one’s life and the cycle of life and death. It is not a careless or fearless confrontation of death. It is a moment to reflect upon one’s life and the cycle of life and death.

TRADITIONS- ALTARS In the homes families arrange ofrendas or "altars" with flowers, bread, fruit and candy. Pictures of the deceased family members are added. In the late afternoon special all night burning candles are lit - it is time to remember the departed - the old ones, their parents and grandparents. In the homes families arrange ofrendas or "altars" with flowers, bread, fruit and candy. Pictures of the deceased family members are added. In the late afternoon special all night burning candles are lit - it is time to remember the departed - the old ones, their parents and grandparents. Altars should include: Altars should include: A picture of the one being remembered A picture of the one being remembered Items they were fond of Items they were fond of Something to snack on Something to snack on Candles Candles Flowers Flowers Gifts Gifts

TRADITIONS: FOOD Pan de los Muertos Pan de los Muertos Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de muertos, and decorated with "bones. Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de muertos, and decorated with "bones.

TRADITIONS: FLOWERS During los Dias de los Muertos the yellow marigold symbolizes the short duration of life. During los Dias de los Muertos the yellow marigold symbolizes the short duration of life. Other flowers commonly seen during this celebration include the white amaryllis, wild orchids, baby's breath and ruby coxcombs are offered as adornment and enticement for the returning spirits. Other flowers commonly seen during this celebration include the white amaryllis, wild orchids, baby's breath and ruby coxcombs are offered as adornment and enticement for the returning spirits. Wreaths made of flowers, both real and plastic, are often placed on the grave sites. Wreaths made of flowers, both real and plastic, are often placed on the grave sites.

TRADITIONS: PAPEL PICADO Papel Picado is a traditional art used to decorate homes, businesses, markets and altars in preparation for the Day of the Dead. Papel Picado is a traditional art used to decorate homes, businesses, markets and altars in preparation for the Day of the Dead. The thin tissue paper images are usually cut in large quantities and hung in repetitious patterns. The thin tissue paper images are usually cut in large quantities and hung in repetitious patterns.

TRADITIONS: SKELETONS Skeletons and skulls are found everywhere. Chocolate skulls, marzipan coffins, and white chocolate skeletons. Skeletons and skulls are found everywhere. Chocolate skulls, marzipan coffins, and white chocolate skeletons. Handmade skeleton figurines, called calacas, are especially popular. Calacas usually show an active and joyful afterlife. Figures of musicians, generals on horseback, even skeletal brides, in their white bridal gowns marching down the aisles with their boney grooms. Handmade skeleton figurines, called calacas, are especially popular. Calacas usually show an active and joyful afterlife. Figures of musicians, generals on horseback, even skeletal brides, in their white bridal gowns marching down the aisles with their boney grooms.

ESCENAS Escenas are a group of calacas – skeleton figurines- that are placed in a mini diorama portraying a role from life like a group of musicians or even getting married. Escenas are a group of calacas – skeleton figurines- that are placed in a mini diorama portraying a role from life like a group of musicians or even getting married.

WHY ALL THE OFFERINGS? ”THE DAY OF THE DEAD OFFERING IS A LIVING HOPE TO SPEND JUST ONE MORE DAY WITH OUR LOVED ONES FROM FAR AWAY, FROM A REMOTE PLACE THAT ALLOWS THEM TO RETURN TO EARTH, TO THE LAND OF TASTES, SMELLS, COLORS, SOUNDS AND TEXTURES...WHERE THEY MUST RELEARN ABOUT SENSES AND EXPERIENCES THAT ARE NO LONGER USEFUL TO THEM. THEY COME BACK TO SHARE OUR ELEMENTS, THOSE WHICH SURELY THEY ALSO HAD AT ONE TIME, AND IT IS OUR ONLY WAY TO ENSURE COMMUNION IN THE FESTIVITY” OSCAR GUZMAN.

LINKS Día de los Muertos: For Teachers and Students Día de los Muertos: For Teachers and Students Common misconceptions about the Day of the Dead Common misconceptions about the Day of the Dead History, Traditions, and Significance History, Traditions, and Significance CGI Student Academy Award Gold Medal Winner Short Film HD: "Dia De Los Muertos" from Whoo Kazoo CGI Student Academy Award Gold Medal Winner Short Film HD: "Dia De Los Muertos" from Whoo Kazoo CGI Student Academy Award Gold Medal Winner Short Film HD: "Dia De Los Muertos" from Whoo Kazoo CGI Student Academy Award Gold Medal Winner Short Film HD: "Dia De Los Muertos" from Whoo Kazoo