Día de los Muertos

¿Qué es? El Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a holiday that incorporates ancient Aztec customs and Catholic traditions in order to honor the dead. El Día de los Muertos is not meant to be seen as a sad time or evil time, but instead a time of family reunion, remembering loved ones, and celebrating life. It is thought that during this time, the souls of the dead are allowed to journey back to the earth and spend time with loved ones and enjoy the beauties of life as they once did.

¿Dónde y Cuándo? El Día de los Muertos is mostly a Mexican holiday, but is also celebrated in Guatemala, other Central American countries, and even the United States. El Día de los Muertos is mostly a Mexican holiday, but is also celebrated in Guatemala, other Central American countries, and even the United States. El Día de los Muertos is a 3 day event, beginning on the night of Oct. 31 st and going through Nov. 2 nd. These dates coincide with the holidays of Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day. El Día de los Muertos is a 3 day event, beginning on the night of Oct. 31 st and going through Nov. 2 nd. These dates coincide with the holidays of Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day.

31 de octubre Spend the day at the cemetery cleaning grave sites, painting tombs, arranging flowers and candles, and having family picnics. Spend the day at the cemetery cleaning grave sites, painting tombs, arranging flowers and candles, and having family picnics. At night, family reunions around the tombs and gravesites of family members. At night, family reunions around the tombs and gravesites of family members.

1 de noviembre: Día de los Angelitos Coincides with Catholic holiday “All Saints Day” Coincides with Catholic holiday “All Saints Day” Thought to be the day when the spirits of little children who died early in live are able to cross the veil of death and visit family. Thought to be the day when the spirits of little children who died early in live are able to cross the veil of death and visit family.

2 de noviembre: Día de los Muertos Coincides with Catholic holiday “All Souls Day” Coincides with Catholic holiday “All Souls Day” Is thought to be the day when the spirits of the adults are able to come back. Is thought to be the day when the spirits of the adults are able to come back.

Calaveras y Esqueletos (calacas) Skulls and skeletons are used in decorating throughout the holiday to represent death and their loved ones (sugar skulls) Skulls and skeletons are used in decorating throughout the holiday to represent death and their loved ones (sugar skulls) They are often brightly painted, dressed up in clothes, and displayed in scenes to depict what they used to do in life: jobs, hobbies, favorite past times They are often brightly painted, dressed up in clothes, and displayed in scenes to depict what they used to do in life: jobs, hobbies, favorite past times

Traditions- Altares In their homes, families arrange altares with ofrendas as tributes to their dead loved ones and to entice them to return and spend time with them In their homes, families arrange altares with ofrendas as tributes to their dead loved ones and to entice them to return and spend time with them Altars usually include: Altars usually include: A picture of the one being remembered A picture of the one being remembered Food and items they were fond of Food and items they were fond of Candles Candles Flowers Flowers Gifts Gifts

Pan de Muertos Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de muertos, and decorated with bones Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de muertos, and decorated with bones

Flores During los Dias de los Muertos the Cempasúchil, yellow marigold, is used for most decorating purposes. It symbolizes the short duration of life. During los Dias de los Muertos the Cempasúchil, yellow marigold, is used for most decorating purposes. It symbolizes the short duration of life.

Papel Picado Papel Picado is thin, colorful tissue paper used to cut out images of skeletons doing humanly activities. Papel Picado is thin, colorful tissue paper used to cut out images of skeletons doing humanly activities. They are usually cut in large quantities and hung in repetitious patterns. They are usually cut in large quantities and hung in repetitious patterns.

Links Día de los Muertos: For Teachers and Students Día de los Muertos: For Teachers and Students Common misconceptions about the Day of the Dead Common misconceptions about the Day of the Dead History, Traditions, and Significance History, Traditions, and Significance