The Day of the Dead, also known as Día de los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday in which family and friends gather together to pray for the dead. On the mention of this day, what pops into your head first? Do you feel scared and defiant? Do you think it's a spooky day for skeletons? I know many of you do, so today, I'm gonna clear the myths of the Day of the Dead for you!

Brief Accountant:
In Mexico, the Day of the Dead is an important festival. The celebration is held on November 1st and 2nd. Quite the same as the Catholic holidays Halloween (November 1) and Almnin' Day (November 2). The traditional way of commemoration is to build a private altar. People often place sugar skulls, marigolds and the deceased's favourite food. They then take these items to the cemetery to pay tribute to the deceased.

According to scholars, the origin of this modern Mexican festival can be traced back to hundreds of years of Indigenous memorials and a festival dedicated by the Aztecs to the goddess Miquet Cassivatel. In Brazil, the Day of the Dead is a public holiday. Many Brazilians visit cemeteries and churches to celebrate the festival. In Spain, all kinds of festivals and parades are held. And at the end of the day, people gather in the cemetery to pray for their dead relatives. Similar commemorative events have been held in other parts of Europe. And there have been celebrations with similar themes in many Asian and African cultures. According to the Aztec calendar, the names of two consecutive months with 20 days in a month are "Miccailhuitomi" and "Miccaihuitl.” Those two words can translate into "Childhood Day" and "Congrit Festival.” Together for two months, it seems that a long-term celebration of the deceased has been formed. In the early 16th century, Spain conquered the Aztec Empire and occupied what is now Mexico. For religious and political reasons, they forced the Indigenous peoples to convert to Catholicism. The festivals introduced by missionaries include “All Saints' Day” and “All Spirits Day,” which are November 1st and 2nd. Indigenous peoples have integrated their own traditional culture into these two festivals to commemorate the dead. So, the Day of the Dead has become a unique hybrid product of these two festivals.

Origins Of The Festival:
The Day of the Dead is a product of the combination of Indian and Spanish culture. Dominated by Indian indigenous culture, Day of the Dead of the Indian Indigenous People is held in July and August every year. The Indigenous peoples believe that only by treating the dead kindly and letting the dead go home happily will allow those who live in the coming year to be blessed by them. Without disease or disaster, crops will have a good harvest.

After the Spaniards came to the American continent, they combined the Western “Day of the Saints,” the Indigenous Day of the Dead and some Indigenous burial and sacrificial customs to create today's Day of the Dead. That is set on November 1st and 2nd. Nowadays, in Mexico and other Latin-American countries, November 1st every year is the "Young Spirit" Festival. It's a festival to miss the deceased. And the 2nd is the "Adult" Festival, which is a day for everyone to remember the deceased adults.

Time Of The Festival:
"Day of the Dead" is a grand festival, full of happiness and celebration everywhere. According to Mexican folk customs, November 1st is the "Young Spirit Festival". And the 2nd is the "Spirit Festival". Since October 31 is "Halloween Night" in Western countries, many Mexicans, especially children, have been joyful for three days in a row.

Commemoration For The Undead:
They believe that the deceased can feel the attitude of their relatives through the flowers placed at home and the flowers decorating the cemetery. All preparations must be very careful, because they believe that if the deceased feels like the memorial ceremony is not proper, the deceased will bring illness to the head of the family. On the other hand, if the deceased are satisfied, they will have a good corn harvest. They will also satisfy the food used by the relatives for a year, and improve the daily life of the relatives.

The Indigenous Indian Aztecs of Mexico also believe that death is both the destination of life and the beginning of a new life. Therefore, people should celebrate grandly during the festival.

This kind of memorial ceremony is full of religious and artistic colours. It is not only a part of monumental activities, but also an integral part of the social and cultural of Indigenous people. This Day of the Dead is the result of the integration of religion and Catholicism, in which it connects two completely different worlds and integrates indigenous ideas.
At the same time, it also makes the Indigenous peoples— who are committed to maintaining their cultural diversity— more unified. It also makes their political and social status more stable.

Traditional Characteristics:
Although Mexico's "Day of the Dead" is similar to other Western countries, it has a dual origin of the Indian nation and the Spaniards before Spanish colonisation. It essentially inherits Indian traditions and shows Indian cultural characteristics, as well as their unique humour and philosophy.

Mexicans generally believe that this culture mainly inherits the ideas of ancient Indians, especially the Mayans or Aztegas. It also originates from what is now called the most developed period of "Meso-American” culture.

Although influenced by European culture during the colonial era, it doesn't matter. Mexicans are always willing to distinguish themselves from other Western countries by taking the ancient civilisation and culture they inherited as national characteristics. This kind of consciousness is deeply rooted.

Development Trend:
Although the Day of the Dead is not under apparent threat, Indigenous peoples are increasingly less aware of its importance. Moreover, the Indigenous colour of the Day of the Dead is getting lighter and lighter. Alongside that, the commercial colour and entertainment colour are getting stronger and darker. That problem is covering its religious characteristics. Therefore, we must do our best to protect the supernatural and aesthetic characteristics of the Day of the Dead.

So, now you've learned more about the Day of the Dead, you probably don't think it's too spooky now, right? In fact, it's actually just a jubilant and sweet holiday. It's when people commemorate loved ones who passed away. Anyways, thanks for reading. Happy Day of the Dead! <3

Written by Lily.
Edited by Hazel Antler.
Proofread by Daphne Clarke.