DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday celebrated to honor deceased loved ones through a vibrant fiesta. 

Dia de los Muertos is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, also on the Catholic observances of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. It combines indigenous practices from the ancient Meso-American civilizations, like the Aztecs, with Spanish and Catholic influences.

Opposed to the negativity usually associated with death, Dia de los Muertos embraces it as a natural part of life. The occasion is a joyful time to remember and celebrate the lives of the deceased, reflecting their belief of life and death as a cycle

OFRENDAS
On Dia de los Muertos, families create vibrantly decorated altars called “Ofrendas.” Ofrendas are decorated with photographs, the deceased’s belongings, and the four elements: Water (to satiate thirst), papel picado (wind), food offerings (earth), and candles to guide the spirits (fire).

SYMBOLISM
The decorations for Dia de los Muertos have many symbolic aspects. For example, cempasuchil, or marigold flowers, are believed to attract souls in the afterlife with their vibrant colors. Monarch butterflies are believed to carry the souls of the afterlife with them as they arrive in Mexico. Calaveras de azúcar, or sugar skulls, are exactly what they are called, sugar shaped into skulls and adorned with festive designs and popping colors to represent the sweetness of life. Sugar skulls can be edible, but a lot of the time the paint used is actually inedible.

GAINING POPULARITY

In 2008, UNESCO recognized the Day of the Dead, and added Mexico’s “indigenous festivity dedicated to the dead” to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In 2017, many U.S. cities celebrated and held day of the dead parades, including Los Angeles, and Chicago.

In 2016, grabbing inspiration from the 2015 James Bond movie, Spectre, Mexico held is first ever parade for the celebration. Many movies have been created about Dia de los Muertos.  In November of 2017, Pixar released the movie, Coco and it went on to gross 175 million dollars.  

FLORAL PARK MEMORIAL
Here at Floral Park Memorial, students who take Spanish as their world language class, or AP World History, learn about Dia de los Muertos, and its significance. Additionally, Senora Demarco, a Spanish teacher from the world language department, puts together an ofrenda in the hallway by the world language office.

The day of the dead is a well known celebration, and It’s origins span thousands of years back. However it is still as lively as it was millennia ago.  

SOURCES:

mrs. demarco (World language Department.)
Five facts about Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) | Smithsonian Institution (smithsonian.edu)
Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) ‑ Origins, Celebrations, Parade | HISTORY (History.com)