1. The Day of the Dead

2. Día de los Muertos  Día de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday celebrated every November 1 and 2.  It is a holiday of remembrance and prayer for friends and loved ones who have passed on.  In addition to being a day for reflection, the holiday encourages people to confront and embrace death.  The first day of celebration is commonly called “Día de los Innocentes” or “Día de los Angelitos” and is meant to honor dead infants and children.

3.  Día de los Muertos celebrations are held on the Catholic observances of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.  Roots of the holiday can be traced back as far the Aztec Civilization.  The Aztecs celebrated a similar holiday every August that focused on the goddess “Mictecacihuatl” or “Lady of the Dead”. History

5. Common Customs include…  Preparing special foods  Making altars dedicated to dead family members  Visiting cemeteries  Holding public festivals  Wearing Calavera (skull) masks.

6. Some Common Foods include…  Pan de Muertos: a sugary egg bread sometimes decorated with twisted frosting “bones”  Sugar and chocolate skulls decorated with the names of dead relatives  Candied pumpkin  Atole: a beverage made from corn hominy flour, water, unrefined cane sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate or fruit  Food can be served either to the living or the dead.

8. Altars and Ofrendas  Most families create altars dedicated to deceased loved ones either in their homes or at his or her gravesite.  Altars are decorated with ofrendas or offerings meant to attract the spirits of the dead.  Ofrendas can include large Mexican Marigolds, food, bottles of alcohol, religious items, photos, candles, incense, and toys for children.  Altars are so common place, even schools and government buildings have them during the season. 

10. Catrina  Catrina is an icon of the holiday.  First appeared in a 19 th century print by Jose Guadalupe Posada as a parody of an upper class woman.  She is often known simply as the Lady of the Dead and is reminiscent of Mictecacihuatl.

11. Celebrations around the World