History
Día de los Muertos originated thousands of years ago with indigenous Mesoamerican civilizations, including Aztec, Maya, and Toltec peoples who viewed death as a natural part of life's journey. When Spanish conquistadors arrived in the 16th century, these ancient traditions blended with the observances of All Saints' and All Souls' Days. Today's celebration, observed annually on November 1-2, honors deceased loved ones through vibrant offerings, creating a bridge between the worlds of the living and the dead.
Every item on an ofrenda has meaning.
ofrendas
Sacred Altars Welcoming Our Loved Ones Home
Ofrendas are colorful altars created to welcome loved ones back to the world of the living during Día de los Muertos. These sacred spaces feature photos, favorite foods, marigolds, candles, and personal mementos of the deceased. Each thoughtfully arranged item guides and nourishes spirits on their brief return home.
This cultural icon inspires extravagant costumes today.
la calavera catrina
Mexico's Iconic Lady of Elegance and Tradition
La Catrina, a sophisticated female skeleton dressed in aristocratic attire, has become the iconic face of Día de los Muertos. Created by illustrator José Guadalupe Posada around 1910, she began as a satirical critique of Mexican natives who adopted European styles. Today she symbolizes the Mexican view that death is an integral part of life, to be acknowledged, honored and celebrated.
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Marigolds bloom in late October.
cempasúchil
The Vibrant Marigold’s Path to the Afterworld
Known as "flower of the dead," the Mexican marigold's vivid orange petals and distinctive scent guide spirits back during Día de los Muertos. These sacred flowers adorn ofrendas and create pathways to homes, their brilliance illuminating the way for visiting souls.
The annual migration is around 3,000 miles.
mariposa monarca
Returned Souls of the Beloved
Monarch butterflies arriving each November are believed to be the souls of departed loved ones returning for Día de los Muertos. Their annual migration to central Mexico coincides perfectly with the celebration. The delicate orange wings mirror marigold petals, creating a living connection between the natural world and the spiritual journey of ancestors.
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Italians introduced Mexico to the sugar skulls in the 1700s.
calavera de azúcar
Sweet Skulls Celebrating the Cycle of Life
These colorful sugar skulls are more than decorations—they're meaningful symbols of the vibrant Mexican perspective on life's journey. Often inscribed with the names of loved ones, calaveras represent the sweetness of life and the natural cycles we all experience. The tradition of crafting these vibrant confections blends cultural heritage and creativity, resulting in edible art that honors and remembers those who came before us.
Each color of paper has their own meaning.
papel picado
Delicate Paper Art Dancing in the Wind
These intricate paper banners, skillfully cut with detailed designs, symbolize the fragility of life during Día de los Muertos celebrations. The thin tissue paper allows spirits to pass through, connecting our world with theirs. Vibrant papel picado adorns ofrendas and streets in festive strings, their gentle movement suggesting the presence of visiting souls as they flutter in the autumn breeze.
