![]() ![]() Personal ornaments, and/or the deceased’s favorite food or confection will also be present here, as will Pan de Muerto. They are usually layered: the top tier contains a picture or pictures of the remembered deceased as well as religious statues or symbols, especially that of La Virgen Guadalupe the second tier will contain the ofrendas: toys are usually offered for deceased children, and bottles of tequila, mezcal, or atole for deceased adults. These colorful altars, which are also an art form and personal expression of love towards one’s family members now passed, are not for worshiping but instead for the purpose of remembrance and celebration of a life lived. A focal point of the remembrance ritual is families creating ofrendas -altars with offerings to the deceased- which are set-up in homes or public spaces like parks or plazas, and also at local cemeteries where family members are buried. Local families will plan for Day of the Dead celebrations days, weeks, or perhaps even a whole year in advance. It’s currently fashionable for participants to have their face painted to emulate Catrinas.Īlthough Halloween on October 31st and Dia de los Muertos on November 1st and 2nd are strictly speaking two distinct events, in recent times the two festive dates have blended into each other illustrating how Mexico is adept at assimilating foreign things without losing its own identity-and often putting a particularly Mexican stamp on them. Mexico City hosts a large and elaborate procession downtown, and provincial towns and cities hold religious processions to mark the occasion. Local festivities and traditions vary from place to place, although the ofrendas are the focal point of the celebrations during the festive period. The Aztecs also celebrated Day of the Dead, although earlier -August- on the current calendar. This acknowledgement of life’s continuity has roots which go back to some of Mexico’s oldest civilizations including the Olmec, Zapotec, Maya, and Purépecha. Mexico’s Day of Dead: a celebration of lifeįar from being a morbid event, Day of Dead emphasizes remembrance of past lives and expresses celebration of the continuity of life. Day of the Dead is celebrated passionately throughout Mexico, and especially so in smaller provincial towns and cities. November 2nd is an official Public Holiday in Mexico. Traditionally, November 1st honors deceased children and November 2nd honors deceased adults. "It's something you can feel in your heart like when you see someone that comes here talk to you about their loved ones and they can find something here that is really important to them.One of Mexico’s most important religious holidays is celebrated on All Saint’s Day (November 1) and All Soul’s Day (November 2): Dia de los Muertos (sometimes called Dia de los Fieles Difuntos) – Day of the Dead. Though the flower shop has only been open for three years, they have found a way through the holiday to connect with their customers one stem at a time. ![]() "It has a nice smell that we believe is like a calling to our people that have passed away," said Gonzalez. The flower shop has purchased more than 5,000 batches of marigolds from Mexico and they say they've already sold more than half.Ĭustomers believe their authentic marigolds hold a stronger scent which helps in attracting the dead during the festivity. "Actually, all the people who come always ask if is it the Mexican cempasúchi or is it somewhere else," said Esperanza Gonzalez. The flower shop has built a reputation for its marigold flowers throughout the community because they authentically purchase each batch from Mexico. "Our customers have started to come in because it sells out pretty fast," said Andrea Cabello, a receptionist at Unforgettable Moments. ![]() The marigolds are typically used to decorate alters, or ofrendas, where many place pictures of passed loved ones. 1.įlower shop, Unforgettable Moments, has become a staple in the community for selling Día de los Muertos decorations and marigold flowers. The Mexican celebration begins on Tuesday, Nov. MILWAUKEE - All over the world people celebrating Día de los Muertos, an ancient Mexican holiday that honors those who have passed away, are preparing for their festivities. ![]()
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