What makes the Day of the Dead so Special?

A traditional altar has a sugar skull, the bread of the dead, and candles.

We are about to start November and with this comes one of the most celebrated traditions in Mexico.

We are talking about the Day of the Dead, which takes place on November 1st and 2nd. On the first day, we honor the young people who passed, and on the second day to celebrate the adults.

This celebration started in prehispanic Mexico, and the legacy continues until today.

Why is it so special?

The day of the dead is special because it is the moment when our earthly world and the underworld connect.

A sacred portal opens that allows a mystical coexistence between the living and the dead.

It is the opportunity to eat, sing and laugh again with our loved ones who are already gone. It is a way to honor them.

Yes, Mexicans love to celebrate death in a big way!

Flowers

An altar with cempasuchitl flowers and candles.

Flowers are essential for the altar, and you can see different kinds.

The white ones allude to heaven, and the purple ones represent mourning.

The yellow flowers symbolize the element of the earth. These flowers are 100 % Mexican, and their name is cempasuchil, which has a peculiar aroma to attract the soul of the people who passed away.

Cempasuchil flowers give that extra beauty to the altar, and their petals also help guide our loved one’s home. In ancient times, petals were placed from the cemetery to the house of the deceased.

Copal and incense

The indigenous Mexicans offered the odor of copal to the gods on the day of the dead. This tradition remained even after the Spanish conquest.

Europeans added incense because it increases the odor that guides our loved ones.

These elements also clean energetically the place where the altar is, so the souls can make their entry.

Sculptures of skeletons with dresses and big hats.

Food

After a long journey from heaven, the altar welcomes the souls with abundant Mexican food.

What kind of food?

Mole, tamales, enchiladas, mixiotes, Mexican pumpkin sweet or tejocote, sweet potato with piloncillo, and seasonal fruits.

And traditional drinks like atole, hot chocolate, mezcal, tequila, and beer.

Water

The water is a fundamental part of the altar.

First, it represents the purity of the souls.

The water hydrates our dear visitors after its arrival and when they are ready to leave again.

This altar has traditional drinks, water, cookies, and tamales.

Bread of the Dead.

This bread symbolizes fraternity and the loving family has for their loved ones.

Calaveritas

Calaveritas are peculiar sweets in the shape of a skull that symbolize the relatives for whom the offering is made.

They are made of sugar, chocolate, or amaranth, and they can have a tiny tag with the name of the loved one on their forehead.

Salt

Salt is an element that purifies the altar. It prevents souls from “becoming corrupted” and helps them return to the underworld.

Altar with pictures of loved ones, food, and sugar skulls.

Pecked paper

It symbolizes the element of wind in the altar because of its movement.

It is the union between life and death.

Candles

The candles embody the element of fire on the altar. Candles symbolize light, faith, and hope that guide the souls back home each year.

The number of candles coincides with their deceased members. They are usually placed in the form of a cross to indicate the cardinal points.

Besides these main elements, sometimes toys are places for kids.

And the altar is set in 7 levels because those are the steps the soul travels to until it reaches heaven.

This altar has pecked paper, tamales, atole, and other sweets.

Curious Fact

In 2003, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) named the day of the dead the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity due to its importance and tradition.

Without a doubt, the day of the dead is a unique tradition full of magic, history, and mysticism.

Overall, a loving practice that unites all souls.