Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday that is more sentimental than Halloween.
The holiday is a time-honored tradition south of the border that results in many tears being shed following the spookiness of Halloween. Here are nine things you should know about it:
- Day of the Dead is celebrated in remembrance of family members and friends who have died.
- The holiday takes place on Nov. 1 and 2.
- In Spanish, it is called Dia de los Muertos and it is a public holiday.
- It used to be celebrated over the summer, and it dates back hundreds of years to an Aztec festival and the goddess Mictecacihuatl.
- Private altars known as ofrendas are built by the families and friends of those who have passed. Sugar skulls, marigolds and traditional foods and beverages are sacrificed for the departed as grave gifts. Possessions of the deceased are also left there.
- While Oct. 31 is a day to honor children who have died in Mexico, Nov. 1 is a day to honor fallen adults.
- Poems and drawings are sometimes created to honor the dead–these short poems are known as calaveras, which means skulls. Epitaphs of friends are mocked with these poems.
- Some people get tattoos or dolls of the dead on Day of the Dead as many believe the day brings good luck.
- In some parts of Mexico, children celebrate the day in a similar manner as Halloween, passing by houses and asking for small gifts of candles or money.
Will you be celebrating Day of the Dead this year?
