10 Things to know about the Day of the Dead

Description

Mexican culture is rich with tradition, which can be seen in their Day of the Dead celebrations. If you're interested in learning more about this unique tradition, check out our list of ten things that will show you the special relationship Mexicans have with death and their loved ones who have passed away.
Andrea Pan
Flashcards by Andrea Pan, updated more than 1 year ago
Andrea Pan
Created by Andrea Pan about 3 years ago
31
0

Resource summary

Question Answer
It’s not a Mexican version of Halloween Halloween has ancient Celtic roots, while Day of the Dead has its own origins that date back to the Indigenous people of Mexico and Central America.
It's a two-day celebration November 1st: Day of the Little Angels is celebrated. This is the day children who have died are believed to visit their loved ones. November 2nd:Day of the Dead is celebrated.
The holiday first began with the Aztecs. It started as a month-long summer festival in honor of goddess Mictecacihuatl, Queen of the Underworld, or Lady of the Dead.
The deceased will return home! On the Day of the Dead, it’s believed that the border between the spirit world and the real world dissolve.
It's not a holiday for sadness It was created as a healthy way of coping with the loss. The community looks at death as an opportunity for renewed life. It is celebrated with parades, festivals, and more across Mexico.
Altars: the centerpiece of celebrations. To beckon spirits back into the Land of the Living for the festivities, revelers create makeshift altars, or ofrendas, at their homes and at the gravesites of their deceased loved ones.
Offerings to the dead are inspired by the four elements. Fire: Candles Water: Pitchers of water Earth: A variety of traditional foods Wind: Papel picado
The cemetery turns into a dancefloor! At the end of the celebration usually there is a great family reunion at the cemetery to let go again. Everyone is celebrating with food, drinks and music. People even dance until the early mornings.
The powerful meaning of "La Catrina" A satirical drawing to remind people to be themselves and to stop trying to be something that they weren't. No matter what society you belonged to, you would all end up skeletons.
Cultural Heritage of Humanity In 2008, UNESCO recognized the holiday’s massive importance among Mexico’s Indigenous communities by adding it to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is the first Mexican cultural practice to be recognized.
Show full summary Hide full summary

Similar

The meaning of the elements of the Day of the Dead altar
Andrea Pan
Matters of Life and Death GCSE
kate.siena
Themes in Lord of the Flies
lowri_luxton
GCSE Biology 4 OCR - The Processes of Life
blairzy123
Psychology A1
Ellie Hughes
Key Biology Definitions/Terms
courtneypitt4119
Cell Transport
Elena Cade
Repaso de Revalida Enfermeria 2015
Francisco Rivera
3.1 Keywords - Marketing
Mr_Lambert_Hungerhil
Factores Humanos en la Aviación
Adriana Forero
Histologie
Moloșnicov Tanciu