1. Día de los Muertos Day of the Dead
Miss Saylor Spanish I
Día de los Muertos
Day of the Dead

2. Historia/History
Celebration takes place from Oct. 31-Nov.2 (Includes All Saints Day—Dia de todos los Santos)
Celebrated in Mexico and some parts of the United States. Similar celebrations occur in other cultures.
Mix of ancient Aztec beliefs and Spanish Catholic beliefs
Stems from thoughts that the dead come back each year to visit their living relatives.
Dates of celebration vary, may run for an entire week, may only be Nov 1-Nov 2
Other cultures—Asian cultures, Brazil
Aztec beliefs modified to coincide with Christian/Catholic holidays after Spanish conquistadors came to Mexico
Death is not considered sad, celebration, way for living to know they will not be forgotten when they die

3. More Info
Living relatives celebrate the return of the dead, and…throw a party with lots of food and festivities!
Graveyards/altars decorated with favorite things and foods of the dead
children who have passed are remembered Nov. 1, adults Nov. 2
Days consist of preparing/decorating, eating and drinking, prayers/chants
Nights consist of candle-lit vigils in decorated cemeteries
Explain foods (pan de muertos, sugar skulls, mole, etc.)
Explain typical altar/ofrendas
Dia de los angelitos—nov 1 to mourn children
Decorations—papel picado, cascarones
Illuminacion—candle lighting

4. Vocabulario/Vocabulary
altar de muertos - the offering that family and/or friends prepare for their dead loved ones
Link to a virtual “altar”
angelitos - the souls of the children who have died; literally "little angels"
calacas - whimsical skeleton figures that represent death
calavera - a skull; also a slang term for "daredevil"
*Vocabulary terms/definitions and photos obtained from:

5. More Vocab….
calaveritas de azúcar - sugar skulls made for the Día de los Muertos
catrina - Famed Día de los Muertos artist José Guadalupe Posada's icon of death. Catrina means "a wealthy woman" and it is said in a sarcastic manner.
cempazuchitl - a yellow marigold, the symbol of death, also known as cempasuchil or zempasuchitl
*Vocabulary terms/definitions and photos obtained from:
Explain picture of la catrina
Mention that cempazuchitl is not a Spanish word

6. More Vocab…. Día de los Muertos - Day of the Dead
Día de Todos los Santos - All Saints' Day
Iluminación - the ceremony that takes place in the cemetary, where hundreds of candles are lit to guide the souls to their altars
ofrenda - an offering; refers to the goods set out on the altars
pan de los muertos - bread of the dead
papel picado - colorful tissue paper with intricate, festive designs cut out
Remind students all saints day was originally catholic, describe papel picado

7. Name that term! 1. What is this cut tissue paper an example of?
2. What are these sugar skulls called in Spanish?
Answers: papel picado, calaveritas de azucar

8. Name that term!....
3. What is the name of the artist who created this “icon”?
4. What is this “bread of the dead” called in Spanish?
La catrina—jose guadalupe posada, pan de los muertos

9. Name that term!....
5. Pictured at left are truck loads of marigolds…what are they called?
6. Pictured below are candle-lit day of the dead ceremonies. What is this ceremony called?
cempazuchitl, illuminacion

10. Dia de los Muertos-Art Jose Guadalupe Posada
Famous for his “calaveras”
Inspired many other artists
Art has come to be associated with Day of the Dead
Explain political/social messages in art

11. Day of the Dead-Art Jose Clemente Orozco and Diego Rivera
Explain influences by Posada, social/political themes, also mention relationship with Frida Kahlo

12. Typical Schedule of Dia de los Muertos Activities
Nov. 1 Dia de todos los Santos/ Dia de los Angelitos
Memorials for los angelitos (children)
Decorate cemetery with favorite foods and things of deceased
Create sugar skulls, papel picado, pan de los muertos
Nov. 2 Dia de los Muertos
*note, some areas celebrate more than just 2 days, but Nov. 1 and 2 is typical, also some activities occur both days
Memorials for adults
Illuminacion-lighting of candles at night in cemetery, picnics throughout the day
Children may go door to door asking for “dulces”-sweets

13. Some more photos and links When you finish, click on the first link and explore the site!
-Check out the videos and slideshows!