Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead At first glance, the Mexican custom of the Dà ­a de Muertos- the Day of the Dead- may sound much like the U.S. custom of Halloween. After all, the celebration traditionally starts at midnight the night of Oct. 31, and the festivities are abundant in images related to death. But the customs have different origins, and their attitudes toward death are different. In the typical Halloween festivities, which are of Celtic origin, death is something to be feared. But in the Dà ­a de Muertos, death- or at least the memories of those who have died- is something to be celebrated.  The Dà ­a de Muertos, which continues until Nov. 2, has become one of the biggest holidays in Mexico, and celebrations are becoming more common in areas of the United States with a large Hispanic population. Its origins are distinctly Mexican: During the time of the Aztecs, a monthlong summer celebration was overseen by the goddess Mictecacihuatl, the Lady of the Dead. After the Aztecs were conquered by Spain and Catholicism became the dominant religion, the customs became intertwined with the Christian commemoration of All Saints Day. Specifics of the celebration vary by region, but one of the most common customs is the making of elaborate altars to welcome departed spirits home. Vigils are held, and families often go to cemeteries to fix up the graves of their departed relatives. Festivities also frequently include traditional foods such as pan de muerto (bread of the dead), which can conceal a miniature skeleton. Here is a glossary of Spanish terms used in connection with the Day of the Dead: los angelitos  - literally, little angels; young children whose spirits returnla calaca  - a skeleton figure representing death, similar to the Grim Reaperel calavera  - a reckless fellowla calavera  - skullla calaverada  - crazy, foolish behaviorel difunto  - the departedla hojaldra  - a bread for the Day of the Deadla ofrenda  - an offering left for the souls of the deadzempasà ºchitl  - the traditional name for the yellow marigolds used to mark a pathway to the altar Childrens Books for Day of the Dead Day of the Dead Day of the Dead Free Online Research Papers Latin Americans celebrate a holiday every year where they honor their dead by decorating skulls. The holiday focuses on the gathering of family and friends to remember people that were close to them. The Day of the Dead (El Dà ­a de los Muertos), is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Latin Americans living in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. Celebrations occur on November 2 in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2). Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts. Due to occurring shortly after Halloween, the Day of the Dead is sometimes thought to be a similar holiday, although the two actually have little in common. The Day of the Dead is a time of celebration, where partying is common. The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico can be traced back to the indigenous cultures. Rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors have been observed by these civilizations perhaps for as long as 2500–3000 years. In the pre-Hispanic era, it was common to keep skulls as trophies and display them during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth. The festival that became the modern Day of the Dead fell in the ninth month of the Aztec calendar, about the beginning of August, and was celebrated for an entire month. Festivities were dedicated to the god known as the Lady of the Dead, corresponding to the modern Catrina. In most regions of Mexico, November 1 honors children and infants, whereas deceased adults are honored on November 2. This is indicated by generally referring to November 1 mainly as Dà ­a de los Inocentes (Day of the Innocents) but also as Dà ­a de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels) and November 2 as Dà ­a de los Muertos or Dà ­a de los Difuntos (Day o f the Dead). People go to cemeteries to communicate with the souls of the departed, and build private altars, containing the favorite foods and beverages, as well as photos and memorabilia, of the departed. The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so that the souls will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them. Celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and stories about the departed. Plans for the day are made throughout the year, including gathering the goods to be offered to the dead. During the 3-day period, families usually clean and decorate graves; most visit the cemeteries where their loved ones are buried and decorate their graves with offerings, which often include orange Mexican marigold which is a bouquet usually consisting of 20 or so flowers. In many American communities with Mexican populations, Day of the Dead celebrations are held which are very similar to those held in Mexico. In some of these communities, such as in Texas and Arizona celebrations tend to be mostly traditional. For example, the All Souls Procession has been an annual Tucson event since 1990. The event combines elements of traditional Dia de los Muertos celebrations with those of pagan harvest festivals. People wearing masks carry signs honoring the dead and an urn in which people can put slips of paper with prayers on them to be burned. Therefore, the day of dead brings families together to remember the people that were close to them. Research Papers on Day of the DeadThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationTrailblazing by Eric AndersonThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseHip-Hop is ArtCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite ReligionThe Fifth HorsemanThe Masque of the Red Death Room meaningsWhere Wild and West MeetQuebec and CanadaPersonal Experience with Teen Pregnancy