El Dia de los Muertos

[jayem]

Just to get a break from election madness-- In Mexico and other Latin American countries, Nov. 1 and 2 are observed as El Dia de los Muertos—the Day of the Dead. Nov. 1 is for children who've died. Nov. 2 is for adults. I'd never heard of this custom until my wife and I were attending a conference in San Antonio in early Nov. On a tour of the old missions, we saw the Offrendas (offerings.) Which are altars decorated to honor deceased family members. These usually have a crucifix, photos or other pictures of the decedent, candles, various objects associated with his/her life, and skulls as symbols of death. Some are very elaborate, with flowers and other decor. But they all have marigolds. Which are said to attract the deceased to their offrenda. I'm not a religious person, but I like this tradition. I remember one offrenda had a photo of a very distinguished-looking gentleman--maybe in his 40s--along with a bottle of Tequila, and a carton of cigarettes. Which might be why he's deceased.

 

[AlexB23]

Just to get a break from election madness-- In Mexico and other Latin American countries, Nov. 1 and 2 are observed as El Dia de los Muertos—the Day of the Dead. Nov. 1 is for children who've died. Nov. 2 is for adults. I'd never heard of this custom until my wife and I were attending a conference in San Antonio in early Nov. On a tour of the old missions, we saw the Offrendas (offerings.) Which are altars decorated to honor deceased family members. These usually have a crucifix, photos or other pictures of the decedent, candles, various objects associated with his/her life, and skulls as symbols of death. Some are very elaborate, with flowers and other decor. But they all have marigolds. Which are said to attract the deceased to their offrenda. I'm not a religious person, but I like this tradition. I remember one offrenda had a photo of a very distinguished-looking gentleman--maybe in his 40s--along with a bottle of Tequila, and a carton of cigarettes. Which might be why he's deceased.

This does seem like a nice tradition. the sugar skulls look pretty neat, if you ask me. El Dia de Los Muertos makes death seem pretty cool, well it is, cos as Christians, we will meet Jesus up in Heaven. If only people in the US celebrated this holiday.

 

[essentialsaltes]

The Los Angeles Zoo has set aside space for ofrendas for pets.

 

[RileyG]

This does seem like a nice tradition. the sugar skulls look pretty neat, if you ask me. El Dia de Los Muertos makes death seem pretty cool, well it is, cos as Christians, we will meet Jesus up in Heaven. If only people in the US celebrated this holiday.

We do have All Souls Day, which is celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, and some Lutherans.

You can offer prayers for the dead throughout the entire month of November.

 

[RileyG]

The Los Angeles Zoo has set aside space for ofrendas for pets.

Ahhh, I miss my five cats RIP

 

[RileyG]

@jayem thanks for posting! I find this tradition very fascinating! At Target where I work, we have many day of the dead decor, and I find it very interesting and beautiful.