El Día de los Muertos Day of the Dead The path to the living shall not be made slippery by tears
What do these images mean to you? How are these two images different?
What are your views about death and the afterlife? What images come to mind when you think about death? What emotions do you feel when thinking about death?
The path to the living shall not be made slippery by tears What do you think this Mexican saying might mean?
How do people view death in Latin countries? Death is not to be feared Death is just another part of living Although the living body dies, the soul continues to live on Life is cyclical Respect and honor “los difuntos” Celebrate the deceased. Afterlife – the dead are among us – mixture of Aztec and Christian views of death.
The Days of the Celebration October st - Build the altars in the home November 1 st – Día de los Angelitos November 2 nd - Día de los muertos November 2 nd – In the evening, collect the food and offerings left on the altar and leave a trail of cempasuchil that leads back to the panteón. The souls follow the scent of the flower to the panteón where they spend the evening with loved ones before they return to “home”. Family members burn candles on the cripta and place a flower arco while spending the evening with others who want to remember the deceased.
Day of the Dead Altars Usually Includes three tiers or levels Must have a picture of the deceased person included that you wish to honor Usually has cempasuchil, the traditional flower of the dead (orange marigold) Usually has papel picado – purple-pain, white-hope, pink-celebration Usually has water and food-pan de los muertos Cavaleras - Candy skulls – three small, one large Velas – to light the way home Ofrendas – offerings to entice the dead
Selling the cempasuchil flowers – the yellow marigold that entice the dead through their fragrant scent.
A festival to celebrate the holiday. Death is not to be feared – it is a necessary part of living. Notice that Catarina is HAPPY!
More of the celebration……
A flower Vendor
On the grave…..
A day in the Panteón
A moment of reflection….
El arco de cempasuchil
Las Calaveras
A traditional altar in a Mexican home
Another Altar
An altar
Another altar
A gravesite, with the marigold flower
Pan de los Muertos A sweet bread that is made for the dead and placed on the altar After the long journey, the dead are tired and crave sweets to gain energy It is usually made in the shape of a person/ghost, or circular with knots and ropes
Pan de los Muertos
Watch a short video on how Dia de Los Muertos is celebrated in Mexico
HAS YOUR OPINION OF DEATH CHANGED? How do you feel about death? Do you believe that the souls of the deceased can come back to visit you? Would you like to spend the day with a loved one that has passed on? Why or why not?