Day of death in Spain. Day of the Dead in Mexico

Mexicans firmly believe that people dear to their hearts do not leave this world forever after death. Once a year - on the Day of the Dead - they can come to visit their relatives.

Although the tradition of honoring deceased relatives in Mexico dates back to ancient times, today Dia de los Muertos is tied to two Catholic celebrations - All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2). These days, Mexicans visit the graves of their relatives, where they build “altars of death” with the beloved things of the deceased. Altars are decorated with bouquets of orange marigolds, offerings of fruits, drinks and food. An indispensable attribute of the holiday is also placed here - a calavera skull made of sugar or marzipan, brightly painted with glaze.

Like their American neighbors, Mexicans approach the world of the dead with a peculiar sense of humor. On the Day of the Dead, it is customary not to mourn, but, on the contrary, to amuse otherworldly guests in every possible way so that they bestow their blessing on the living. Therefore, closer to sunset, Dia de los Muertos turns from a quiet family celebration into a noisy street procession-comparsa with the participation of traveling tambora orchestras, songs and dances.

Day of the Dead is celebrated throughout Mexico, but it is especially celebrated in the south of the country in the ancient city of Oaxaca de Juarez. About a week before the start of the holiday, a large Day of the Dead parade takes place through the central streets of the Mexican capital, Mexico City. Participants in the carnival procession make up themselves as skeletons and dress up in costumes of characters from the other world, as the Americans do during. This tradition appeared relatively recently, after the demonstration of a similar action in the film “007: Specter” from the saga about the adventures of the legendary agent James Bond.

El Dia De Los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday commemorating the dead. Many of us know that his attributes include sugar skulls, colorful costumes and painted faces. However, this holiday is something more than what we know about it.

Many may think that this holiday is the Mexican version of Halloween, but that would be a mistake. The only thing they have in common is, perhaps, the image of a skull. This holiday isn't even celebrated on Halloween! Of course, almost at the same time, but this is only one of many differences between the current version and the popular perception of the holiday.

On the Day of the Dead, no one tries to scare anyone, and certainly no one dresses up as pop culture characters and goes from house to house begging for candy from strangers.

Even though Halloween is celebrated on one day in October, some people start celebrating it as early as the first of October, or early September if they're really obsessed with the holiday. The Day of the Dead is celebrated only once a month.

As is the case with other holidays, many people change certain traditions and aspects of the celebration to suit their lifestyle and personal opinions. This is true for Day of the Dead as well, but for the most part, many traditional aspects remain the same.

Here are 15 things you might not know about the Day of the Dead!

15. This is the time when spirits roam everywhere

Day of the Dead focuses only on the dead. People who celebrate this holiday believe that on this day of the year the souls of the dead return to Earth to visit their loved ones. One of the reasons why people wear costumes with skulls is that it helps those from the afterlife who would like to roam the Earth blend in with the rest of the population.

Nowadays, those who celebrate this holiday do not necessarily believe that the souls of the dead are wandering around. Nevertheless, the skull has become the main symbol of the holiday and is its “face” (or rather, its absence). Addition bright colors to the skull is a way to decorate faces and glorify the dead, rather than make oneself look fearsome.

14. The holiday lasts two days


Day of the Dead is actually two Days of the Dead! It is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, although in some parts of the world it is celebrated on Halloween. If not, that means potentially as many as three holidays contract!

On November 1st, which coincides with All Saints' Day, people usually visit the graves of loved ones and honor dead babies and children (this day is called the Day of the Angels (Día de los Angelitos)), and on November 2nd, which coincides with All Souls' Day , celebrate the death of adult dead (this day is called the Day of the Dead (Día de los Difuntos)).

It is rather a celebration not of a person’s death, but of his life! At this time, it is customary not to be sad or mourn the loss of loved ones, but, on the contrary, to be glad that they were there and remember all the good moments of their life.

13. Orange marigolds - flowers of the dead


Yellow marigolds are considered the flowers of the dead. They look like the sun because they open and bloom like a celestial body. Very often they also have bright colors. For this reason, they symbolize life and hope, making them the perfect flower for this holiday.

When you think of a flower for Halloween, this would most likely be black rose or some gory and creepy version of a flower painting. But instead, Day of the Dead offers a vibrant, vibrant alternative to America's bloody, macabre holiday.

Those who participate in the celebration dress and adorn themselves using marigolds to attract the souls of the dead to various gifts, offerings and celebrations. The result is bright and beautiful jewelry instead of the dark and creepy ones that are usually used during Halloween celebrations.

12. La Catrina - the most popular female skeleton


The image of the skeleton has great significance for the Day of the Dead. However, one particular image is the most notable of all: that of Catrina (La Catrina), which means "fashionista" in Spanish. This is the image elegant woman, which originated in Mexican culture as a parody of upper-class women.

Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe Posada created this image in response to the fact that women of Mexican culture were forced to adopt the customs and traditions of European culture. The image is a reminder of those who hide or hide their culture. On the contrary, it is important to remember traditions and honor them in order to pass them on through generations to your descendants, preserving the history of the nation.

11. Altars in honor of the deceased are installed in homes


Altars are sometimes erected to remember and mourn the dead. Instead, on the Day of the Dead, altars are built to help narrate the life of the deceased and prepare a place for him to visit.

On the day of celebration, the altar is a place decorated in memory of a loved one, and invites the soul of the dead to return from the grave there. Altars are decorated with their favorite things and make them a safe and comfortable place for the dead on the day they visit the living.

If the altar is dedicated to a child, then toys are also added to the place of worship. Sometimes religious symbols such as crosses or an image of the Virgin Mary can be seen on altars.

10. Not setting up an altar is considered a bad sign.


The altar is perhaps one of the most important components of this holiday. It is believed that one who does not set up an altar, place of worship, or some other sacred place (to display mementos and welcome the soul of the deceased) will be cursed.

It is believed that if the living do not have anything to attract the soul of the deceased to visit them on this day, then the spirits will return and haunt and frighten them. This does not mean that people are forced to celebrate this day with fear - it is just a small frightening element to a vibrant and deep tradition.

It's just an urban legend and a message to remember loved ones you've lost and not ignore death or Day of the Dead celebrations. Some believe that a person who does not set up an altar may become ill or may become ill the day after the holiday.

9. Altars are not only installed at home.


Altars for the Day of the Dead are not only created inside homes. If you go out and walk around public places during the holiday, you will most likely see altars installed in places such as banks, schools and small stores.

On this day, everyone honors the departed and offers them a place where they can return to visit the living. Some believe that those who have moved may want to visit a place where they previously worked, studied or visited many times for work.

This makes sense because the souls of relatives for whom an altar was not erected will need a place to go when they return from the afterlife for one day a year. Schools also celebrate this holiday and study it, so it is understandable why you can see at least one altar in every school, and possibly in every classroom.

8. About the Bread of the Dead


Another component of the holiday is the Bread of the Dead (Pan de Muerto). Sweet bread can be seen on most altars. It is prepared the day before to fill the air with its aroma, and the deceased, waking up from their graves, could perhaps find their way to their loved ones by its smell.

The bread is baked in round loaves with two strips of dough on top, symbolizing bones, and sprinkled with sugar. Bread is placed on the altar and on the graves of the dead. There are many varieties of bread that is baked for this day, and it doesn’t really matter what shape it is. Custom dictates that the Bread of the Dead be present at the traditional festival.

7. The Spaniards did not want this holiday to be celebrated


With the beginning of the Spanish colonization of Mexico, the Day of the Dead traditions were almost lost. Many of those who came to Mexico and began to Europeanize the country adhered to strict Christian traditions. They considered the Day of the Dead holiday diabolical and wanted to put an end to it. Of course, they failed to destroy this tradition, so they tried a little to convert the indigenous population to Christianity.

Initially, the Day of the Dead was celebrated in the summer, but was moved closer to to fit into European culture. Nowadays, Day of the Dead is perhaps seen as even more Christian than modern Halloween. This is not a devilish or sinful holiday, but a beautiful and beautiful way celebrate the lives of deceased relatives.

6. Some people throw entire parties at the cemetery.


One of the coolest things about Day of the Dead is the celebrations that take place in the cemetery. On the first day, friends and relatives visit the graves of their deceased loved ones many times. This is done in order to awaken their souls.

Part of this process also includes decorating the grave with the same items as the altar. Some families decide to have a graveside party and the cemetery turns into a party spot for the entire night.

This is a very cool tradition that would be nice to adopt for every day! Cemeteries are dark and creepy places the rest of the year, but they should actually become brighter and more vibrant to honor the dead rather than cry in the dark.

5. Sugar skulls are based on real sugar skulls


Now that you've heard of the term "sugar skull," you're probably thinking of some kind of brightly colored or decorative skull. In a way it is, but the real original sugar skull was just that - a skull made of sugar. Like the Bread of the Dead, the sugar skull is another important holiday treat.

Sugar skulls come in all kinds, shapes and sizes, but they are mainly candied skulls that are placed on altars and graves to coax the souls of the dead to come out of their graves.

This tradition began because in Mexico sugar production was high level, and there weren't many ways to create an inexpensive piece of art. Sugar skulls began to be made because it was simple and inexpensive. The tradition grew from there, and today is something that is still revered as a vital part of Mexican history.

4. Some people celebrate with kites.


Another Day of the Dead tradition is to fly a kite during the celebration. Traditionally, a kite takes up to 40 days to create and all natural materials are used to make the perfect kite.

In the early stages, the unmarried men of the community get involved: they collect bamboo to make the frame. Next, the rest of the kite can be made only from natural materials. Kite launched into the sky on the day of celebration.

Kites are considered a way of communicating with the dead and a sign that they can see that will show them the way to various celebrations. This is also another beautiful element that adds a lot of color and splendor to an already vibrant tradition.

3. Day of the Dead is considered a religious holiday


Day of the Dead is considered national holiday in Mexico. This is probably one of the main differences between it and Halloween. Usually, when a holiday is considered national, it means that government agencies, as well as many enterprises stop their work on this day.

When this holiday comes, many cities actually "stand still" to allow everyone to celebrate the Day of the Dead. This means that it is also taught and celebrated in public schools. The religious elements of the holiday are not talked about, but children no doubt still celebrate the Day of the Dead at school.

This holiday is also included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This means that it is a significant holiday and celebration, and not just something fun and shameless like Halloween.

2. It is believed that butterflies are the souls of the dead


Butterflies are something that we don't see too often, but that are constantly flying around somewhere. Butterflies are often thought to be the souls of the dead returning to their homes to visit relatives. However, this does not apply to all butterflies, but primarily to monarch butterflies (Danaidae monarch). That's because monarch butterflies typically migrate to Mexico by the first of November, just in time for the Day of the Dead.

Butterflies are another beautiful and colorful image that is part of this colorful holiday. The migration of monarchs is still a mystery in itself. It seems a bit of a coincidence that these two events occur so close in time to each other.

However, it's worth remembering that Day of the Dead actually began in the summer, before the monarch butterflies migrated. But many ancient Aztecs still believed that the souls of the dead returned to the living in the form of butterflies.

1. There are some sinister elements to this holiday.


While Day of the Dead is considered a bright and colorful celebration of the lives of the dead, there is no doubt that it also has some macabre elements. Much of this is partly due to the fact that some Halloween traditions and customs have trickled down into many other cultures, and Halloween is a holiday associated with all things sinister.

There is something so eerie about the thought of deceased loved ones returning home that some people actually start to shake. The most remarkable and memorable story during the Day of the Dead celebrations tells of La Llorona.

The "Weeping Woman" or "Weeper" is a young woman who killed her children to please her lover, who did not want them. Then she finds out that he actually had no intention of staying with her anyway, and commits suicide by drowning. On the Day of the Dead, she returns to collect the souls of dead children.

While part of the planet is actively preparing for Halloween, a preparation parade (“La Catrina”) took place in Mexico in honor of another surprisingly “scary” and very original holiday Dia de Los Muertos - “Day of the Dead”.

We'll tell you what kind of game this is and why the holiday is interesting. Let's go.

1. Day of the Dead is a centuries-old tradition that could not be eradicated

The history of the holiday dates back to the Mayans and Aztecs. Their faith was closely connected with the rituals of death and resurrection. Local residents (before the Spanish conquest of Mexico) often kept real skulls of the dead in their homes, as symbols of death and resurrection.

Every year the Aztecs held a real month of sacrifice (modern August), as a sign of respect for the dead, the afterlife and his patroness, the goddess Mictlancihuatl.

The Indians believed that death only marks the transition of a person from one state to another. In other words, death for them is only a transformation, after which life path doesn't end.

Despite the fact that the indigenous population of Central America was forcibly converted to Catholicism, it was not possible to eradicate the strong tradition. Neither 500 years of Catholic propaganda, nor crossing with the religious calendar, nor soft integration into the Christian canons helped.

All that the Catholic Church managed to do was move the holiday to the first day of November, when the church celebrates All Saints' Day. So-so achievement.

Day of the Dead remains unique pagan holiday, with its symbols and traditions.

2. Modern integration and the Day of the Dead symbol

In modern society, the zinc engraving “Calavera Catrina” by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada has become a symbol of the Day of the Dead. He depicted a skeletal-faced woman in high society clothing and called her "La Calavera de la Catrina", showing that the rich and fashionable are just as mortal as everyone else.

Katrina figurines have become an integral part of the holiday and an excellent Mexican souvenir.

It is believed that this is what Mictlancihuatl, in whose honor the Indians made sacrifices, should have looked like.

3. Since childhood, Mexicans have had an absolutely friendly relationship with death.

From a young age, modern Mexican children see images of Katrina, play with skeletons, and eat playful cakes in the shape of coffins and skulls. Game! But thus, little Mexicans are not afraid of the idea of ​​death, for them it is absolutely common.

4. Mexicans celebrate the holiday for two days in a row.

Day of the Dead is celebrated for two consecutive days on November 1st and 2nd. It is believed that it is on these days that the souls of deceased relatives visit their home. On November 1, Mexicans communicate with the souls of deceased children, and the next day with the souls of adult relatives.

• November 1- Day of the Little Angels (Día de Angelitos), when departed children and infants are honored
• November 2- Día de los Muertos is the day when deceased adults are remembered

No mourning or days of sorrow. It is believed that this holiday is a great reason to laugh at death and actively enjoy life.

5. Traditions that may shock

Co. Day of the Dead Mexicans prepare altars brightly decorated with flowers in memory of deceased relatives.

Favorite things, food, drinks of the deceased relative, sweets are placed on the pedestals, and candles are lit. It is believed that the soul of a deceased relative should remember the taste of earthly dishes. Many people display altars right on the streets, and competitions (!) are held to determine the best pedestal.

Altars can also be seen in offices, public places on the streets and squares of cities.

Traditional baked goods for the holiday - Pan de muerte (Bread of the Dead) - a loaf sprinkled with granulated sugar, on top of which a bread ball is baked, symbolizing a skull. A sort of Mexican “cake for the dead.”

The culmination of the holiday is a visit to the cemetery. The Mexicans are having a noisy parties with songs and dances. They also have long conversations with deceased relatives and remember fun facts from the life of the deceased.

6. Cities of the dead. Not scary

During the holiday, its symbols (skulls and skeletons) are drawn almost everywhere. Most often they smile and are made in bright holiday colors.

On the eve of the holiday, you can find various variations of skeletons, skulls and coffins in stores in the form of sweets and desserts.

In addition, they sell a lot of themed decorations, souvenirs and other holiday attributes.

In large cities, spectacular street processions, noisy carnivals, impromptu exhibitions and fairs are organized, in small cities - cemetery picnics.

7. Hollywood and “Day of the Dead”

“Dead” carnivals have been played out more than once in Hollywood films. One of the most famous is the opening scene in the latest James Bond film, Specter. Exotic surroundings and spectacular staging.

In November, a new colorful cartoon from the Pixar studio, “The Secret of Coco,” will be released on the big screens, in which such an unusual holiday is played out.

“Day of the Dead” is an integral part of the life of every Mexican*.

The Mexican poet Octavio Paz once said: “The Mexican, instead of fearing death, seeks its company, teases it, flirts with it. This is his favorite toy and enduring love.” Everyone goes crazy in their own way.

*The holiday is popular in many Latin American countries: Ecuador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador.

By the way, in 2003, the Day of the Dead holiday was included by UNESCO in the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

This is not a pop Halloween.

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Come to me, ghouls! To me
ghouls!

Film "Viy"

If my grandmother had somehow miraculously found herself in Mexico in early November, she would have crossed herself incessantly, thinking that she was visiting the Devil.

On November 1 and 2, Mexico celebrates one of the most grandiose and colorful holidays – Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos). As it turned out, it is in Oaxaca and its environs that it takes place on a special scale. Thousands of tourists come here to watch the celebration of dead souls and their living relatives. Well, for us, living in Oaxaca, it would be a sin not to plunge headlong into the atmosphere of the holiday.

Mexicans have a very special attitude towards death. Not only are they not afraid of her, but they also often make fun of this inevitable event. Skulls and skeletons are an integral part of them everyday life. Just one colorful one is worth it. Who is this, you ask? Katrina is the cutest skeleton woman in a gorgeous hat. Her image is very popular in Mexico and is found everywhere, even in one of the famous murals of Diego Rivera.

The Day of the Dead is the real apotheosis of relations between Mexicans, death and all other otherworldly forces in general.

This holiday dates back to the times of the Olmecs and Mayans. It is dedicated to the memory of the dead and is celebrated on a grand scale, drawing all residents into a single whirlpool. No one remains indifferent, no one sits at home. It is believed that on these days the souls of deceased relatives visit their home and try to welcome them with open arms, love and joy. Nobody is sad or sad, and, to be honest, Mexicans generally don’t like to be sad on any day. To make it more fun, they organize parades, costume processions and decorate everything around.

What happens? It turns out that half of this holiday superficially resembles our Easter and Trinity, and half of the American Halloween. On the one hand, Mexicans, in addition to inviting the deceased into their homes, go in droves to cemeteries in order to honor their deceased relatives. There they restore order, decorate everything with armfuls of bright flowers (we call some marigolds, others - cockerels). Plus they bake Bread of the Dead (Pan de Muerto)- an analogue of our Easter cakes. Well, why not Easter? Unless it's common to be sad. On the contrary, there are noisy concerts, theatrical scenes, celebrations, in general, everyone is having fun from the heart. Even over the graves, relatives remember funny and curious incidents from the lives of the departed and laugh heartily.

On the other hand, Mexicans organize costumed carnivals, which are very reminiscent of the “pumpkin festival”. Skulls take the place of pumpkins, and the streets are filled with crowds of all kinds of monsters: witches, sorcerers, skeletons, zombies. Everyone dresses up: from small children to elderly men and women.

Perhaps that's enough talk, let's look at the holiday. If you remember, it officially lasts two days, but in reality it sometimes stretches for a week.

On the first of November, Andryusiks and I went to the city center, towards streets of Alcala. This is where all the most interesting things happen, also capturing the city center with the square Zocalo and surrounding streets.

Before they could reach Alcala, they began to notice all sorts of unusual things that had never been seen before. Bright altars looked down at us from the depths of the courtyards. Similar masterpieces were found next to churches and in the central square. Traditionally, altars are decorated with skulls, flowers and favorite foods of the deceased in whose honor they are created.

Colorful characters began to appear on the streets. These cute guys were created right here, in the middle of the street, with the help of a simple set of paints and a few brushes. If you wanted, for 200 rubles you could turn into a cute dead man, a ghoul or Katrina’s little sister.

Children everywhere begged for change from passers-by and especially intensely and selflessly from tourists.

Some were clearly not in the mood for a holiday.

Our feet naturally led us to the main market. Benito Juarez. Here, many sellers and other staff also transformed into characters from the other world.

After wandering around the city, Andryusiks and I went to the central cemetery - Pantheon General. At the outskirts of the cemetery we were greeted by a flower market, full of bright colors.

The Pantheon General is the oldest cemetery in all of Oaxaca, with many of the graves dating back to the second half of the nineteenth century. Gorgeous tombstones and crypts make it practically a museum.

Some decorations, to be honest, are scary))

You can meet a wide variety of visitors to the cemetery: here there are ordinary people who don’t stand out in any way, and those who have already entered into the image. Anyone can visit the monastery of the departed, regardless of appearance or nationality. Tourists visit the pantheon willingly and with great curiosity. Of course! Such characters, and in such a setting!

Shortly before we left the cemetery, candles began to be lit everywhere. They say candlelight helps souls of the dead find the way to where they are remembered and waited.

The day was steadily approaching evening. It was getting dark quickly. The crowds of people walking became denser, and the characters became even funnier. It seemed like we were in an exhibition of funny freaks trying to outdo each other.

The owners even tried to make their dogs part of the general fun. The four-legged creatures seemed pleased, sporting sparkling cloaks and throwing off their pointed hats.

Tourists, it should be noted, also did not lag behind, painting their faces no less, and perhaps even more willingly, than the Mexicans. Exotic, though.

The city hummed and emitted loud sounds. Every now and then the stream of people walking was interrupted by groups of musicians, filling everything around with slightly awkward but catchy melodies.

Andryusiks did not have time to press the shutter button, trying to capture interesting types, of which there was no shortage. We were interested in everything! This was the first time we had seen such an action. The only thing I remember is the parade in honor of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe, which we once attended in Mexico City.

In the center, very close to the Zocalo, we saw something new - sand paintings that covered and blocked the roadway.

By eight or nine in the evening the crowd had merged into something single, covering Alcala with an even, moving blanket. It was possible to move only by adjusting to the general rhythm.

We forced ourselves out of the raging crowd and headed towards home, deciding that there were enough impressions for today. We didn’t even have time to approach our street when we saw another epicenter of the celebration a couple of minutes from our house, near Church of Iglesia de San Matias Jalatlaco. Here they danced, sang and exploded firecrackers. There was clearly no risk of us falling asleep in silence today. As a result, we fell asleep to the incessant explosions and sounds of the orchestra.

On November 2, it was decided to continue introducing the Mexican flavor. Apparently, we missed him during our trip to the States and the workdays that followed. For this purpose, we went to a town located near Oaxaca Cuilapam de Guerrero. Our main goal was to visit the former monastery there. I already mentioned it in my diary, perhaps I’ll also write a detailed note with technical information, because this monastery turned out to be an unexpectedly interesting and atmospheric place.

After exploring the monastery, we stopped by the local cemetery (Panteón Municipal). Don’t think that we are not maniacs, it’s just that Mexican cemeteries on the Day of the Dead are very elegant and bright.

This is where we put an end to our acquaintance with the Mexican Day of the Dead. We were very pleased, having received a lot of positive emotions and drank with plenty of local enthusiasm!

Oh yes, I almost forgot! All those planning to spend the second of November in Oaxaca are also advised to visit Cemetery Pantheon San Felipe, which is north of the city. We were lazy and didn’t go there, deciding that we’d had enough of such places. Moreover, this cemetery is located very far from the city center - you have to look for a bus, and even drive for about fifteen to twenty minutes.

More for you interesting holidays, dear readers!

There are countries where death is treated with humor. Mexico is probably the most vibrant of them. Historically, death here is viewed from a slightly different angle than in typical Europe, for example. For Mexicans, death is not the end, but the beginning. Therefore, the deceased are not remembered or mourned here. Once a year they are greeted with joy on their faces. On this day, everything turns upside down: day changes to night, the city is filled with people dressed in costumes of the dead, and the cemetery becomes the most visited place. This is how the Festival of the Dead takes place in Mexico.

Day of the Dead is a holiday dedicated to the memory of the dead, held annually on November 1 and 2 in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador. According to legend, on these days the souls of deceased relatives visit their home. The tradition dates back to the Mayans and Aztecs, who brought gifts to the goddess Mictlancihuatl and built walls depicting skulls - tzompantli.

The celebration calendar coincides with two Catholic holidays - All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2). Traditions associated with the holiday include creating private altars to honor the deceased, including sugar skulls, verbena, the deceased's favorite foods and drinks, and visiting the grave with these gifts.

The Day of the Dead began to be celebrated in the territory of modern Mexico by ancient peoples such as the Olmecs and Mayans. According to scientists, rituals associated with the veneration of the dead were celebrated 2500-3000 years ago. In the period before Spanish colonization, local residents often kept real skulls of the dead in their houses - as a kind of family heirloom, they were often displayed during various rituals, they were supposed to symbolize death and resurrection.

During the Aztec Empire, a holiday similar to the Day of the Dead was celebrated in the ninth month of the Aztec calendar, which falls in modern August. The Aztecs celebrated this holiday for a whole month, during which the goddess Mictlancihuatl, the goddess of death, was revered. In modern mythology, this goddess corresponds to the symbol of Katrina. In many areas of Mexico, this holiday is celebrated over two days: on November 1, they honor dead children and infants, which is also called the Day of the Angels (Spanish: Día de los Angelitos); On November 2, the Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Difuntos), all adult dead people are venerated.

Many of those who celebrate this holiday believe that on the Day of the Dead, the souls of the dead can visit living relatives and friends. On this day, people visit cemeteries to communicate with the souls of the dead, they build altars with photographs and relics on the graves, and bring the favorite drinks and food of the deceased. All this is done in order to encourage the soul of the deceased to visit the living. Sometimes celebrations take on a cheerful tone when relatives of the deceased remember funny or funny facts from the life of the deceased at the gravestone.

Celebrating Day of the Dead varies from region to region. As a rule, they prepare for the holiday throughout the whole year, when little by little they collect things that should be on the altar of the deceased. During the celebrations on November 1 and 2, relatives decorate the graves of the dead with flowers and fruits. Very often, special flowers are used in decorations on graves - orange marigolds, which, according to legend, attract the souls of the dead. In Mexico, these flowers are called “flowers of the dead” (Spanish: Flor de Muerto). On Angels Day they bring toys for children and sweets. For adults, they most often bring tequila, beer and other alcoholic drinks.

Photo:Reuters.