By Sophia Gerl
Halloween is over now, and so is the spooky season. But there is something else coming up. From November 1st to 2nd, one of the most important Mexican holidays is celebrated, Día de los Muertos.
On this day, the dead are commemorated. The way it is commemorated varies from region to region. However, Día de Los Muertos, is not a celebration of mourning. Rather, it is a tribute to the dead, celebrated with a colorful festival. According to popular belief, on this day, the souls of the deceased return to visit the living. For this purpose, the streets are decorated with flowers, symbols of death and transience; skeletons and skulls of various designs are displayed in the shop windows, and everywhere you see images of the Calavera Catrina.
Calavera Catrina is a figure used as a symbol for Día de los Muertos in Mexico.
Shortly before All Saints’ Day, confectioners produce Calaveras de Azúcar, skulls made of sugar, chocolate, amaranth, marzipan, etc., with the names of the dead on the front.
El Pan de Muerto is a very popular snack and is sweet bread that often contains anise seeds and is decorated with bones and skulls made of dough. The bones may be arranged in a circle, representing the circle of life. Small drops of dough symbolize mourning.
Generally, there is a lot of food on this day (also in public places). The goal is for the dead to come home and strengthen themselves after their long “journey”. In addition, photos of the deceased, candles and incense are to remind of common times.
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