One of the most recognized annual events celebrated throughout Mexico is the Day of the Dead. This celebration is rich in rituals and expresses the unique and exceptional relationship that Mexicans have with death and with their ancestors.
It is a distinct spiritual time of year to bring family members together, reflect and remember our family members who are no longer with us. It is a happy celebration meant to honor our departed loved ones and appreciate life while we are still a part of life.
Day of the dead in the world
Apparently the day of the dead is no longer only celebrated in Mexico, but in many parts of the world. Outside of Mexico, it is common to see people of all ages dress up as catrinas, blankets printed with cempasuchil paper flowers and beautiful huge headdresses with colorful Mexican flowers.
When was the Day of the Dead internationalized? Culture and traditions evolve over time, although there are events that can radically transform them. Thanks to the success of films such as Coconutfrom Disney, and the James Bond saga,Specterthey changed the face of this tradition a little and since then many countries dress in color calendula or cempasuchil.
The Day of the Dead, identified internationally as something deeply Mexican, also provokes a feeling of pride among nationals who want to promote it to non-Mexican people or who do not necessarily identify with this ritual of death, for example, through these films.
The Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos) is a two-day holiday that brings together the living and the dead. Families create Ofrendas (offerings) to honor their deceased relatives who have passed away. These altars are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the deceased and the meals and beverages honoree’s favourites. Offerings are believed to encourage visitation from the land of the dead as departed souls hear their prayers, smell their food, and join in the celebrations.
The Day of the Dead is a rare holiday to celebrate death and life. It is different from any holiday where mourning is changed for celebration.
How is the Day of the Dead celebrated in Mexico?
- Visit the pantheon to clean the tomb and remember the deceased. (Every November 1 and 2, thousands of Mexicans come to visit their deceased in local cemeteries.)
- Decorate a space with a home-made altar for the dead, with the dishes and enjoyments that the deceased had, the living pay respect and venerate the one who has left….
- Enjoy the parade of skulls that the city organizes
- Write or read skulls
- eat bread of the dead
- Dress up or paint yourself as La Catrina
La Catrina is one of the favorite costumes committed in the name of the Day of the Dead.
History of the Catrina How was the lady with the skeleton born?
The hatted skeleton we see today was brought to life in the early 1900s by artist José Guadalupe Posada.
Posada was a popular controversial and political cartoonist who satirically drew and engraved skeletons (skulls) to remind people that they would all end up dead in the end.
It is said that he drew the elegant-looking female skeleton wearing a fancy feathered hat because some Mexicans had aspirations to look rich and aristocratic like Europeans at the time. A satirical drawing to remind people to be themselves and stop trying to be something they are not. No matter how rich or poor you are, no matter what color your skin is, and no matter what society you belong to, everyone will end up a skeleton. This was Posada’s message with his many caricatures of cavaleras drawn performing various daily activities. One of his most popular sayings was “Death is democratic.”
The name of LA CATRINA was given by Diego Rivera “The name is due to that those who dress elegantly are known as catrines»
What is Catrina’s real name? The catrina was initially known What “La Calavera Garbancera”, for the title that Posada gave to the engraving in which a woman is represented with very fine attire, and drawings by the which the most privileged classes in Mexico were mocked.
Diego Rivera and La Catrina
The famous artist and husband of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, immortalized La Catrina in one of his murals depicting 400 years of Mexican history.
The “Dreams of a Sunday Afternoon in Parque Alameda” mural was painted in the 1940s and features several important Mexican characters with La Catrina displayed in the 15-meter mural. He painted a self-portrait of himself as a child holding hands with her in the front row. Rivera painted her in sophisticated clothing and an extravagant feathered hat, creating the look she is known for today. The mural can be seen at the Museo Mural Diego Rivera in Mexico City.
