The Día de los Muertosliterally “the day of the dead”, is one of the most emblematic holidays in Mexico, celebrated between November 1st and 2nd. Made increasingly famous and known by the Disney animated film, “Coco”, it is a joyful celebration of life and a tribute to deceased family members, who are believed to temporarily return to the world of the living to reunite with loved ones on that very night. Although it coincides with All Saints’ Day, it has completely different origins and opposite meaning.
The ancient origins of Día de los Muertos
The Día de los Muertoswhose literal meaning is “Day of the Dead”, addresses its roots in the ancient beliefs of pre-Columbian indigenous civilizations, in particular the Aztecs, Maya and Purépecha, who saw death as a transition to another dimension of existence: the world of the dead, of spirits. The celebration of the dead occupied a central place in indigenous religious life: in the Mexica calendar, made up of 18 months, at least six festivals dedicated to the dead were organised, some of which lasted for weeks. With the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, these ancestral rites merged with the Catholic tradition, in particular with the feast of All Saints (1 November) and with the Commemoration of the Dead (2 November). The Día de los Muertos that we know today is thus an extraordinary synthesis of different cultural influences, a moment in which the pre-Columbian past and the Catholic tradition coexist in a single celebration. The Mexican people have been able to keep the spirit of this tradition alive, driven by the belief that as long as a soul is celebrated it never truly disappears.
Altars and disguises in honor of death
On the occasion of the “Day of the Dead”, Mexican families organize various activities such as setting up altars with ofrendas (offerings) in honor of their deceased, disguises that recall historical and mythological figures from pre-Columbian cultures, the celebration of parades and parades along the streets of the cities. Mexican families set up an altar dedicated to their deceased inside or outside their homes, decorated with photographs, candles, cempasúchil flowers, incense, sugar skulls and foods loved by the deceased.
These altars represent a portal between life and death, and in fact the ofrendas (offerings), placed on the altars themselves, serve precisely as a meeting point between the world of the living and that of the dead. Among the symbolic objects present in the ofrendas we find, in particular, the papel picado, that is, decorations of carved colored paper that represent the fragility of life and the breath of the wind that guides souls. Altars can be found in public buildings such as schools and temples, or in city squares. Clothes and disguises follow typologies of the historical and imaginary heritage: the iconic disguise that we immediately associate with the holiday is that of the Calavera (skull) of Catrina, dating back to the Aztec era, it is believed to be the goddess Mictecacihuatl, queen of the Underworld and Lady of Death, protector of the bones of the deceased.
In 1910, the goddess’ face was depicted in a work by José Gauadalupe Posada, who created a satirical image that mocked native Mexicans who posed as European aristocrats during the pre-revolution, wearing French clothing. In addition to calaveras (skulls), disguises linked to the spirits of indigenous tradition, such as mythological figures and symbolic animals, are also common. For example, the Alebrijesfantastic and multicolored creatures originating from Mexican folk art, are represented in costumes to evoke the protection of guiding spirits.
Differences between Halloween and Día de los Muertos
We often tend to confuse Día de los Muertos with Halloween, but beyond the fact that the dates do not coincide exactly, the two holidays have completely different origins, symbolism and meanings. Although it is true that in both celebrations the theme of death is central, the approach is opposite. Halloween has its roots in the Celtic traditions of Samhain, a ritual linked to the fear of spirits, perceived as dark and mischievous entities. Precisely for this reason, Halloween symbols (such as carved pumpkins, ghosts, witches) evoke the idea of a threatening otherworldly world, to be exorcised with disturbing disguises and pranks.
On Día de los Muertos, however, the spirits are not feared, but awaited and honored. In some communities, this welcome translates into all-night vigils in cemeteries, where family members spend the night beside the graves, feasting, playing music and telling stories. The use of color also underlines the difference: while Halloween is characterized by dark and disturbing shades (black, purple, orange), Día de los Muertos is a lively and bright celebration, in which the yellow and orange of the cempasúchil flowers, red, blue and pink dominate.
Intangible cultural heritage of humanity
Today, Día de los Muertos is not only a Mexican celebration, but is recognized and celebrated in many parts of the world, from Latin American communities in the United States to cultural events in Europe and Asia. Its value has been officially recognized worldwide since 2008, with its nomination as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, guaranteeing its protection and transmission to future generations.
