1. Español I Dia de los Muertos
One of the most meaningful and colorful of Mexican celebrations

2. AGENDA
La historia del Día de los Muertos Vocabulario Tradiciones y símbolos Battleship!

3. WHAT IS IT? Mexico’s most famous feriado
A blend of pre-Hispanic indigenous beliefs and Spanish Catholic beliefs
A month-long Aztec celebration dedicated to the “Lady of the Dead”
Celebrated in remembrance and honor of those who passed
Feriado – holiday
Festive, joyous holiday on November 1 and 2

4. Setting up an alter with offerings in honor of the deceased
HOW IS IT CELEBRATED?
Setting up an alter with offerings in honor of the deceased
Cleaning and decorating graves
Community festivals, parades, street parties
Staying up all night in the graveyard, sharing stories of the deceased, and playing their favorite music

5. WHY DO PEOPLE CELEBRATE DAY OF THE DEAD?
“Dia de los Muertos allows the dead to live again. During this time it is believed that the deceased return to their earthly homes to visit and rejoice with their loved ones.”
– from
Just like in the US we visit the graves of family members and friends to leave flowers and reconnect with them, Dia de los Muertos is a celebration about restoring connections with those who left us.

6. Día de los muertos
Vocabulario

7. Vocabulario
Calaca: a skeleton figure representing death. Candelero: a candlestick Calaveras: colorful sculptures of skulls used during Dia de los Muertos made from sugar or from papier-mache. Dulces: candies, sweets Ofrenda(s): an offering, often in the form of an altar, used to honor ancestors and others during Dia de los Muertos. Máscara / Careta: the mask Pan de muerto: special rolls made in the shape of skulls. Panteón: cemetery, graveyard. Tumba: grave

8. Tradiciones y símbolos
Día de los muertos
Tradiciones y símbolos
One of the most meaningful and colorful of Mexican celebrations

9. Las Ofrendas
Families prepare ornate, tiered altars or ofrendas those who died
Candles, water, food, pictures, papel picado ("perforated paper“), pan de muerto (“bread of the dead”)
Ofrendas are set up in homes and public places or plazas
Families leave out food or items the person cherished while alive

10. Marigolds (“cempasuchitl”) are displayed as an important symbol of death
The “flower of the dead” is spread over altars and graves
Papel picado is a popular tissue paper decoration
Used to adorn altars, shops, and cemeteries

11. Las calaveras are sugar skull candies
LOS DULCES ESPECIALES
Las calaveras are sugar skull candies
They represent a departed soul and honor their return
The skull symbolizes the soul
There are clay toy versions painted silver, white, black, or red
The painted skulls have unique patterns and vibrant colors

12. Gracias!
Preguntas?