Day of Dead History

What is the Day of the Dead?

Día de los Muertos is a braiding together of pre- Colombian ritual and European tradition celebrates the richness of life and the inevitable journey of death. It is important to note that Día de los Muertos celebrations vary from region to region and not all communities in Mexico celebrate the holiday.

To show the dead that they have not been forgotten, altars or ofrendas are constructed in the home. During Día de los Muertos celebrations, family members will often visit the cemeteries where their lost loved ones are interred, cleaning and decorating the tombs and gathering graveside to eat, play music, and speak of and to the dead.

When is the Day of the Dead and where is it celebrated?

Día de los Muertos is observed by those of Mexican heritage throughout Central, South and North America on November 1 and 2nd. The former date is dedicated to the souls of departed children while the 2nd is reserved for the souls of adults. These dates correspond to the Catholic feast days of All Saints’ and All Souls. Mexico City and Oaxaca are renowned for the scope of their Día de los Muertos festivities while San Antonio is home to the largest Day of the Dead celebration in the United States.

Pan de Muerto, bread of the dead, is one of many food items placed on the ofrenda. Flowers including marigold and cockscomb are commonly added to altars, with the petals sometimes strewn from home to altar in the hopes that the vivid color and strong fragrance of the flowers and the flickering light of candles will serve as guides to ancestral spirits.

Día de los Muertos preparations are done with great care to ensure the dead are welcomed and satisfied as it is believed that they carry with them the power to deliver pain or prosperity depending on the quality of the offerings and the execution of these rituals.

How can I celebrate?

Altars called altares de muertos or ofrendas are among the most prominent and significant features of Day of the Dead celebrations as their function is to show the dead that they have not been forgotten and to guide them home. Depending upon region and tradition, altars are built with a varying number of tiers and a wide assortment of offerings. In this context, ofrenda is used to describe both the altar and the offerings.

These offerings can include photos of lost loved ones, salt, water and alcohol to satisfy their thirst, and calavera, brightly decorated skulls made of sugar and meringue that represent those that have passed and serve as a symbol for the sweetness of life. The perforation in the colorful tissue paper known as papel picado allows for easy access for traveling souls while the delicacy of the paper symbolizes the frangible nature of life itself.

How can I make my own Sugar Skulls?

Following a simple recipe you can make your own sugar skulls to create your own family traditions of remembrance. You can also purchase directly from Sugar Skull Supplies and decorate with your own icing, glitters, ribbons and more to create truly unique pieces to put out in honor of your loved ones.