The Bridge that Connects Us |
One of the largest themes of Día de los Muertos is remembrance. There are different beliefs across time and space about what happens when the dead are not remembered (intentionally or not) by the living. Some believe that forgetting the dead will cause them to haunt and torment their living descendants. Some believe that remembering them is a way to honor those who, despite being dead, are still with us and should be treated as so.
Overall, different cultures throughout time have believed that we live on through people’s memory. Our names, although most of us share them with many people, are special when accompanied by the memories and love of the ones who know us. Here are some perhaps familiar quotes about names, death, and remembrance that capture both this idea and the spirit of Día de los Muertos. |
Marigolds: Flor de MuerteCempazúchitl, the original Nahuatl name for marigolds, are also known as flowers of the dead or flor de muerte. Indigenous throughout the southwest U.S. through South America, marigolds became popular in Europe and North Africa during the late 16th century after the discovery of the New World. Europeans used marigolds in medicinal practices, cooking, and as offerings to the virgin Mary giving them the common name we know today. Here in the Americas we see marigolds being used on ofrendas for the Día de los Muertos celebration. Their connection to this celebration is due to an Aztec origin myth about two lovers, Xótchitl and Huitzilinone. After the death of Huitzilinone, Xótchitl begged the sun god, Tonatiuh, to reunite them once again on earth. Moved by Xótchitl and Huitzilinone’s love, Tonatiuh turned Xótchitl into a flower as bright as the sun and reincarnated Huitzilinone into a hummingbird so they could be together again. While the use of marigolds may have originated with this Aztec legend, today they are used across Latin America with the belief that their bright colors and scent help guide spirits back to their loved ones on earth.
Want to learn how to make your own marigolds using tissue paper and pipe cleaners? Check out this tutorial! |
Spirit Guides |
The history of alebrijes originated in the 1930s when artist Pedro Linares fell ill and had fever dreams about them. When he returned to good health, he created the colorful creatures that he had dreamed of out of papier-mâché and cardboard. Alebrijes have remained popular forms of artistic expression ever since.
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Alebrijes are depictions of colorful animals that are typically made out of papier-mâché or wood. They can often be seen represented in Día de los Muertos celebrations, but they are more often represented in Mexican folk art rather than specifically for Día de los Muertos itself. In the movie Coco, they are modernized and used as spirit animals to guide passed ancestors on their journeys. In the real world, alebrijes are examples of Oaxacan folk art. While there are many parades and competitions that include depictions of alebrijes that take place during Día de los Muertos celebrations, they are not traditionally known as 'spirit guides' and can be seen represented outside of the holiday.
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What does Day of the Dead look like?
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Traditional Foods & Drinks
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