The "ay of the Dead" in Mexico

The "Day of the Dead" It's a traditional Mexican celebration to honor our ancestors

Declared cultural heritage by the UNESCO, it is one of the oldest traditions and

representative of the country, and it is celebrated on november 1 and 2

these days living people meet their deceased family and friends

and they receive them with the best honors. This is a party to celebrate the life after death.

The origins of "Day of the dead" are very old, the pre hispanic indigenous peoples

they already celebrated, with the "fusion" of Christianity the rites were mixed

with the Catholic tradition of "All Saints", making it "Day of Dead"

as we know it today.

In Aztec mythology "Mictecíhualt" is the queen of "Mictlán", that is the name

given to the region of the dead. Mictecacíhuatl is the lady of death and symbolizes the beginning

and the end of life, and together with her king (Mictlantecuhtli) welcome all those who

die.

before meeting her, The deceased must go through a long and painful journey

along the path of the dead. Once they have finished their journey, they will meet the kings

of Mictlán whose allow them to enjoy eternal rest.

Currently, the image of the Lady of Death is related with the "Catrina",

created by José Guadalupe Posada and named by the muralist Diego Rivera, it is

it is becoming on a iconic image of death in México, and every day is more common

see her as part of the Day of dead celebrations.

The Day of Dead doesn't celebrate the same way in all Mexico, every region has its own

traditions. But all of the traditions have a common principle, the united family to welcome

the souls. Altars and offerings are placed, the pantheon is visited and the tombs are decorated.

It is believed that the souls of children visit us on November 1, and that the

souls of adults return on November 2, offerings and altar are pick up.

The offerings are the most colorful elements of the celebration, they are represented

the four elements, fire, earth, water and air to guide the souls back

Each part of the death offering has a particular meaning. The color of Cempasúchil

flowers represents the path that the dead must follow,

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