Dia De Los Muertos by: Jasmine barroso

Day Of The Dead or “Dia De Los Muertos” is a holiday celebrated in Mexico that is widely compared to a big “family reunion”. Family members who have crossed the bridge to heaven come back and visit their living relatives for a once a year celebration. It is believed that the border between the spirit world and the real world dissolves. During this brief period, the souls of the dead awaken and return to the living world to feast, drink, dance and play music with their loved ones. Indulging in the event usually includes making ofrendas or makeshift altars for deceased loved ones. You put up a picture of your relative and decorate around them with candles, cempasuchil flowers, and what would have been their favorite things while they were still with us. Many people cook meals, put out drinks, and also snacks as the day goes on in hopes that past relatives feel loved and welcomed in their return to the land of the living.

Marigolds are believed to be the pathways that guide the spirits to their ofrendas. The flower’s vibrant colors and scent attract the departed souls, as they return to feast on their favorite foods and reunite with their loved ones. They are called “Flor de Muerto” (Spanish for Flower of Dead) and they symbolize the beauty and fragility of life all around us. Marigold flowers include around 60 annuals and perennials that are native to Mexico and Central America.
A blend of Mesoamerican ritual, European religion and Spanish culture, the holiday is celebrated each year from October 27-November 2. While October 31 is Halloween, November 1-2 is All Souls Day or the Day of the Dead. 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. The spirits of adults can do the same on November 2.
The Holiday kicks off on October 27th when beloved pets return to their homes excited to greet those who loved them the most in life and in death.
On October 28th, the first candle is lit and white flowers are placed to receive the lone souls.
On October 29th, the second candle is lit and a glass of water is placed dedicated to the deceased who drowned, the forgotten, and the helpless.

A new candle is lit and a new glass of water is placed along with the famous "Pan de Muerto" on October 30th, in honor of the deceased who died starving and those who we lost in an accident.

October 31st is the day for our ancestors. Our great-grandparents, great - great grandparents, and generations that came before them come to visit us on this special day. Turn on another candle, more water, and add fruits to your ofrenda.
On November 1st, It's "All Saints Day" the date in which all the little angels arrive, the souls who died of children come back to those who mourned them deeply. Their food should be laid out since morning and is to remain there the whole day.
Known as "All Soul's Day", on November 2nd the souls of deceased adults come to collect the offerings their loved ones placed on the altar made for them. Copal or Incense is burned on this day, and a path of cempasuchil petals guides them to their altar.
November 3rd, the last white candle is turned on, we say a prayer for our loved ones, and ask them to return the following year before saying our goodbyes.
The importance of "Dia de Los Muertos" is not the step-by-step but the tradition that we have kept alive through thousands of generations believing that as long as our loved ones are remembered their souls will not be lost. Our dead are never dead to us until we have forgotten them.