Dia+de+los+Muertos

=Dia de los Muertos=



The Day of the Dead

The day of the dead is celebrated from October 31st through November 3rd. November 1 is the day to honor deceased children and infants. In Mexico it is known as “Dia de los Angelitos” or “Day of the little angels”. November 2 is the day where they honor adults, it is known as “Dia de los Difuntos”.

The history behind the holiday is because the Aztecs had a day in the 9th month of the Aztec calendar, about the beginning of August, dedicated to the god “Lady of the Dead”. They celebrated for an entire month.

They celebrate a little differently everywhere, but some common way to celebrate are by building private altars, cleaning and decorating graves, and having parties. They would also leave pillows and blankets out for the deceased to rest upon. It is common for them to wear shells on their clothes so that when they dance it wakes up the dead. Families will often gather and eat tamales, sugar skulls, and pan de muerto.

Other interesting facts:
 * Marigolds are the flower of the dead.