You have probably already heard of the Día de los Muertos, this colorful Mexican holiday that celebrates the deceased with flowers, offerings, and dances. How can a celebration centered on death be so joyful, filled with music and laughter? Let’s dive together into this celebration that honors both life and death, with joy and far from sadness.
1. Where does Día de los Muertos come from?
To find out, we must go back 3,000 years to the pre-Hispanic traditions of Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Aztecs, Mayas, and Purépechas. These peoples already considered death as a continuation of the life cycle, where the deceased had the possibility to temporarily return among the living during specific times of the year. The rituals associated with this belief were ways to maintain a spiritual connection with ancestors. The world of the dead (underworld) is guarded by the goddess Mictecacihuatl, the Lady of the Dead, who watches over both souls and bones. The festivities in her honor then lasted one month.
With the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century and the introduction of Catholicism, these celebrations merged with the Christian holidays of All Souls’ Day dedicated to deceased children (November 1st) and All Saints’ Day (November 2nd).
Proof of its spiritual and historical importance: in 2008, UNESCO inscribed Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
2. The symbols and practices of Día de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos is rich in symbols. Among the essential elements of this holiday, the ofrenda (altar) is at the heart of the celebrations. Its creation is a ritual in itself to decorate it with meaningful objects: photos of the deceased, candles, copal incense (used to purify the space), cempasúchil flowers (marigolds with bright orange color), and food offerings, especially dishes that the deceased enjoyed in life. The ofrenda is set up either on the grave of the departed or inside the home.
The papel picado is another visible element of the altars and decorations. These finely cut paper banners are composed of symbols and sometimes words. They are traditionally installed during all celebrations throughout the year.
The calaveras (skulls), made of sugar, ceramic, or other materials (worn as masks), are omnipresent during the festival. They represent death, but in a festive way. Some calaveras even bear the names of the deceased, symbolizing the idea that death is an integral part of life and should be celebrated rather than feared.
Finally, the pan de muerto (Bread of the Dead) is a sweet brioche flavored with orange blossom (a symbol of immortality), shaped either like a skull or animals, decorated with dough bones. It is a common offering on the ofrendas, representing both food for the living and for the spirits who return among us during these days.
For a bit of history, this brioche was already made by the Aztecs and buried with the deceased as an offering to the deities Izcoxauhqui, Cuetzaltzin, or Huehuetéotl to ensure their passage to the afterlife.
3. Who is this elegant and mysterious Catrina?
The Catrina, or the Calavera Catrina, has become one of the most iconic symbols of Día de los Muertos. Originally created by Mexican illustrator José Guadalupe Posada around 1910, La Catrina had a satirical role. She represented a skeletal woman wearing an elegant hat, criticizing the Mexican elite who tried to adopt European fashions and values. Posada used this figure to denounce the hypocrisy of social classes that sought to deny their indigenous roots in favor of a luxurious Western lifestyle.
The name Catrina comes from the Mexican word catrín, which referred to a well-dressed man or woman, reinforcing Posada’s social critique of the upper classes. Although this figure was created in a political critique context, it was quickly adopted in Mexican popular culture as an elegant personification of death. Its popularity further increased when it was included in the work of the famous muralist Diego Rivera, notably in his painting Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central or "Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda Park," where she holds the hand of a young Rivera.
Source: WikiArt
Today, La Catrina represents an elegant vision of death in Mexican culture, where it is seen as a natural part of life. During the Día de los Muertos celebrations, La Catrina appears in various forms, from sculptures to elaborate makeup worn by participants.
Thus, La Catrina transcends her original role to become a powerful symbol of Mexican culture, celebrating both life and death, while reinforcing the idea that, regardless of our social class, death concerns us all. She now embodies cultural pride and Mexico’s heritage, while also serving as a reflection on identity and mortality.
4. A famous procession... thanks to James Bond
One of the most famous is the Mega Procesión de Catrinas, which takes place every year in Mexico City. This procession gained great visibility after being popularized in the James Bond saga film Spectre.
Source: AlloCiné
Until this event, the Day of the Dead was celebrated relatively privately, in homes and cemeteries. Since then, the impact has been so strong that this procession has become a true public celebration of the Day of the Dead, with concerts, street performances, and parades with decorated floats. Thousands of participants dress up as Catrinas and skeletons, parading through the streets of the Mexican capital.
5. Celebrating death as much as life
What may strike you at first compared to our more solemn and, let’s say, darker traditions, is that Día de los Muertos is a joyful and very colorful celebration. For Mexicans, death is seen as a natural and cyclical transition rather than a tragic end. The deceased are welcomed each year among the living for a brief period, creating an atmosphere of festivity, reunion, and sharing of stories. This not only preserves their memory but also maintains living ties with ancestors. Like our lit candles placed in windows during Samhain, it is customary to use very bright colors that will guide the deceased to us and then to the underworld.
That is why everything is so joyful and festive: a fabulous atmosphere must be created to encourage the deceased to come back and share this moment with the living. Memories are recalled in the form of jokes and sometimes even gentle teasing. A beautiful lesson that teaches us not to take life too seriously.
