The spirits of adults can do the same on November 2. According to tradition, the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31 and the spirits of children can rejoin their families for 24 hours. While October 31 is Halloween, November 2 is All Souls Day or the Day of the Dead. A blend of Mesoamerican ritual, European religion and Spanish culture, the holiday is celebrated each year from October 31-November 2. To experience the Day of the Dead first hand, pleaseВ join us at the annual Day of the Dead Festival in NYC.The Day of the Dead (el DГa de los Muertos), is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration. Living with death in this way means that Mexicans learn to accept death as part of life. Pull toys, coffins and crank boxes are displayed for the dead to play with. Painted clay skeleton figures portray the dead resuming their normal activities such as playing. Day of the Dead toys are also placed on the altar. Paths are marked with flower petals showing the departed souls the way to the altar. These sugar skulls are eaten and the living come to associate pleasant sensations with the sadness of death.В Candles and fresh marigold flowers are placed on the altar to light and guide the way of the souls to the altar.

The names of the living are also written on these treats to introduce children to the idea of death in an atmosphere of joyful celebration. The name of each departed is written on a sugar skull. Copal (tree resin) is used as incense and is a symbolic transformation of the physical to the supernatural, associated with the death of the soul returning to the ofrenda. While orange and yellow marigolds are the main flowers, magenta terciopelo (ruby coxcombs) and nube (babyвЂ™s breath) are also traditionally displayed. CempasГєchil was the symbolic flower of death for the Aztecs, because once it is cut, it dies very quickly. The flower of the dead is called CempasГєchil ( NГЎhuatl, or Aztec, name for marigold). Water is also believed to be a main support of life. It is believed that the returning souls are thirsty after a long journey. DГa de Muertos also includes traditional dishes, such as chicken in red or black mole sprinkled with sesame seeds tortillas, tamales made from ground corn soft drinks or aguardiente (вЂњwhite-lightningвЂќ liquor),tequila and always a glass of water. Traditional loaves are round with a central raised knob of dough, representing the skull, with crossed bone-shaped decorations radiating from the central knob. Pan de muerto, bread for the dead, is sweet and baked in shapes of skulls and human figures. Most importantly, a photograph of the departed soul is placed on the altar. Decorations also include tombstones, skulls and skeletons made of clay and other materials, sugar skulls, and papel picado. In the homes, much effort goes into preparing traditional foods.ДЄnything can be placed on the altar for the visiting souls, including traditional food, fresh flowers, pan de muerto (or bread for the dead), candles, copal incense (aromatic tree resin), fruits, cloths, photographs, favorite drinks of the deceased, sugar folk toys, religious images and clothing. The altars vary greatly, depending on village and regional traditions. Entire Mexican families construct traditional ofrendas (altars, offerings) that reflect a mixture of Catholicism and ancient Mexican/Aztec cultural practices. The spirits are believed to depart the following day, November 2nd. On October 31st we honor the souls of children, called los angelitos.В On November 1st, we remember the spirits of adults. October 28th is the day of the Accidentados, those souls that died in accidents.

Music is played at home and at the cemeteries. This is a joyful festivity for families and the community. They viewed death as the beginning of the cycle of seasons and life.ДГa de Muertos festivity takes place at the end of October and November 1st and 2nd each year in Mexico. The Aztec honored their dead with fiestas and rituals during the harvest season. It is believed that the souls of the dead return to visit the living families in homes, businesses and cemeteries. The annual Mexican celebration, DГa de Muertos (Day of the Dead), is a time when families gather to honor and remember deceased loved ones. What is the Meaning of The Day of the Dead?

Dia de los muertos altar infographic