The Day of the Dead is a cultural observance that has endured through time and evolved into a worldwide celebration. Rooted in the practices of Mexico's indigenous communities, this cherished tradition honors the timeless bond between the living and the departed. Traditionally celebrated from the end of October to the beginning of November, the Day of the Dead marks the culmination of the maize cultivation cycle—a vital source of sustenance in the country. It was originally practiced mainly by indigenous communities, where families embarked on an ancestral journey of rituals to welcome the souls of their loved ones back to Earth. This journey was paved with flower petals, candles, and offerings, creating a luminous pathway from cemeteries to their homes.
Over the centuries, the Day of the Dead has evolved into a cultural tapestry woven with threads of different histories. Beyond its indigenous roots, the celebration now embraces the modern world, uniting diverse cultures in commemorating the departed. It's a testament to the need to remember and honor those who have gone before us.
Today, the resonance of the Day of the Dead extends far beyond Mexico's borders. This vibrant celebration has entered the global spotlight, often orchestrated by Mexican embassies and communities as a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage. The fusion of pre-Hispanic beliefs and Catholic customs, once a bridge between two distinct worldviews, has now become a universal thread that connects people from all walks of life.
At the heart of this celebration lies the ancestral ritual of offering
. This tradition, a bridge between past and present, allows us to commune with the memories and lives of our departed loved ones. The offering comprises not only sustenance like bread, salt, fruits, and wine (for adults) but also candles and flowers, with the marigold flower, in particular, holding special significance. These offerings are a symbol of the enduring connection between European and indigenous cultures.
The offering must have nine essential elements to preserve its spiritual charm and represent an act of worship and veneration toward the soul's immortality.
Each of the following elements contains its own history, tradition, poetry, and, most of all, mysticism:
Water
: Being the source of life, it is offered so that the departed may quench their thirst after their long journey and strengthen them for their return. In some cultures, it symbolizes the purity of the soul.
Salt:
As the element of purification, it is used to prevent the body from decaying during its journey back and forth, for the following year.
Candles:
Our ancestors used pine torches (ocote). Nowadays, different forms of candles (cirios) are used. The flame they produce represents light, faith, and hope. With its flickering flame, it serves as a guide for the souls to reach their former homes and illuminate their return to their dwelling.
In several indigenous communities, each candle represents a deceased person, meaning the number of candles on the altar depends on the souls the family wants to welcome.
Copal:
It was offered by indigenous people to their gods, as incense was not known until the arrival of the Spaniards. It is the element that elevates prayers and praises, a fragrance of reverence. It is used to cleanse the place of malevolent spirits so that the soul can enter its home without any danger.
Flowers
: They symbolize the festivity with their colors and aromatic trails. They adorn and perfume the place during the soul's stay, which, when departing, will leave content. In many places in Mexico, paths of petals are laid out to guide the deceased from the cemetery to the offering and vice versa. The yellow flower of the marigold, scattered, forms the colorful and fragrant path that marks the route for the ethereal souls.
Indigenous people believed that the marigold flower had healing properties, but now it is only used to decorate the altars and graves of the departed. For this reason, it is said that the flower lost its healing powers over time. In Nahuatl, the marigold flower means "twenty flowers," an ephemeral reminder of death.
The
petate:
Among its multiple uses, it is a bed, table, or shroud. On this particular day, it functions as a resting place for the souls and a tablecloth for placing the offerings.
What should not be missing on altars for children is the Xoloitzcuintle dog, in the form of a toy, so that the souls of the little ones feel happy when they arrive at the banquet.
The
Xoloitzcuintle dog
helps the souls cross the mighty Chiconau-huapan river, which is the last step to reach Mictlán (the afterlife). The toys are meant to make them feel happy and accompanied as they reunite with their loved ones, who can no longer be seen but are still present in spirit.
Bread:
It is the fraternal offering. The Church presents it as the "body of Christ." Prepared in different forms, bread is one of the most cherished elements on the altar.
We invite you to create a digital altar on MiAltar, add the photos of your cherished loved ones and adorn it with the items that mean the most to you and to your loved ones, and to visit the altar throughout the year, when you most feel the need, and bring a sense of healing, and a space of contemplation.
