El dia de muertos El 31 de octubre hasta El 1-2 de noviembre 2012

The day of the dead is a holiday celebrated by many in Mexico and by some Mexican Americans living in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died.

At the end of October The celebration begins on the 31 st of October hallows (holy) eve. Families prepare alters food and clean off graves and prepare to visit the homes of those who have recently past away The day of the dead starts on November 2 in connection with the Catholic holidays All Saints' Day on November 1 and All Souls' Day on November 2

En méxico They have combined aspects of Native cultures with European Catholic traditions and have created their own día de los muertos in méxico, death is not as sad and sober on this holiday and in mexican culture

el primero y segundo de noviembre most regions of Mexico, November 1 honors children and infants, called Día de los Inocentes ("Day of the Innocents") but also as Día de los Angelitos ("Day of the Little Angels") November 2 as Día de los Muertos or Día de los Difuntos ("Day of the Dead").

A las tumbas People go to cemeteries to be with the souls of the departed and build private altars containing the favorite foods and beverages as well as photos and memorabilia of the departed. The purpose is to encourage visits by the souls that have past on They have dinners and picnics at the grave site to spend time with the family members

Ofrendas Alters or offerings for love ones to come back for an evening They’re fill with things that the love one loved while living

Papel picado Papel picado ("perforated paper") is the Mexican folk art of papercutting paper into elaborate designs Usually cut with 40 pieces at a time with a chissels They are commonly displayed for Easter, Christmas and the Day of the Dead, as well as during weddings, quinceañeras and christenings. Papel picado can also be made by folding the tissue paper and using small, sharp scissors.

La Catrina La Calavera Catrina ('The Elegant Skull') is a 1913 zinc etching by Mexican printmaker José Guadalupe Posada. The image has since become a staple of Mexican imagery, and often is incorporated into artistic manifestations of the Day of the Dead such as altars and calavera costumes. The etching was part of his series of calaveras, which were humorous images of contemporary figures depicted as skeletons

Las calaveras de azucar

Pan de muertos The pan de muertos (Spanish for Bread of the dead) is a type of bread traditionally baked in Mexico during the weeks leading up to the Día de los Muertos. It is a sweetened soft bread shaped like a bun, often decorated with bone-like pieces. In some regions it is eaten for months before the official celebration of Dia de los Muertos As part of the celebration, loved ones eat pan de muertos as well as the relative's favorite foods.

cempasúchitl Flor de Muerto Flower used to decorate graves and alters

Other contries and day of the dead In many countries with a Roman Catholic heritage, All Saints Day and All Souls Day have long been holidays in which people take the day off work, go to cemeteries with candles and flowers, and give presents to children, usually sweets and toys. In Portugal and Spain they sometimes also make ofrendas

Otros paises Portugal, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Ireland, people bring flowers to the graves of dead relatives and say prayers over the dead. In Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Norway and Finland, the tradition is to light candles and visit the graves of deceased relatives A Mexican-style Day of the Dead has been celebrated in Prague, Czech Republic, as part of a promotion by the Mexican embassy. Local citizens join in a celebration of the Day of the Dead put on by a theatre group with masks, candles, and sugar skulls.