The origin of Dia De Los Muertos stems back 3000 years to the rituals practiced during the Pre-Columbian Mesoameria, specifically the Aztecs and other Nahua people. They believed that death was a part of the cyclical life of the universe. Upon dying, a soul would depart first to Chicunamictlán, the Land of the Dead, while there they would travel through a several year journey dealing with nine intense levels until they reached their final resting place of Mictlán. This time of the year is also a time for harvesting, in preparation for the light being overwhelmed by the dark as that which was alive slowly descends into death. The inspiration for Dia De Los Muertos dates back to the Nahua rituals, once held in August, of providing food, water, and other supplies for their departed's journey, leading to leaving offerings on graves and home based altars called ofrendas.
The overwhelming thought of Dia De Los Muertos is that the border between the spirit world and this world has dissolved, allowing our departed loved ones to return, visiting us with much celebration as we welcome them into our homes. Within our hearts is the knowledge that those we have lost in the physical never truly leave us, always alive in our memory. Although this is ever present, during this time their presence is more significant. On the altars, 'ofrendas', families place items of signifance such as photos and artifacts of loved ones and that representing the four elements, candles or incense for fire, a cup of water, and to signify earth and air, papel picada (paper cut out designs).
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The most commonly used image related to this holiday is the Calavera, the skull, of a woman with a plumed hat. Influenced by the etchings and illustrations of the Mexican artist, José Guadalupe Posada, these calavera were critiques and political commentary of the society in which he lived, depicting different facets of his contemporary world through the skull imagery. Later, these calavera became synomous with Dia De Los Muertos.
Typically, celebrations of this holiday include dressing up in costumes and parades:
There Is More Time Than Life: Feliz Dia De Los Muertos
Articles used in this entry for research:
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