Día de los Muertos: Mexico's Celebration of Life

All nations and cultures have their holidays reflecting the rich historical background of the countries. Americans have their Independence Day on the Fourth of July, marking the day when the United States gained their independence. One of the most significant holidays in Mexico is Día de los Muertos, which means the Day of the Dead. Despite how gloomy this holiday might sound, it is a celebration of life in memory of deceased relatives.

It should be noted that the history of this unique holiday dates several thousand years ago to the ancient Aztec civilization. It is believed that according to the views of that epoch, death was a natural phenomenon and an integral part of life, as the spirit continues to live in another world after a person's death. This is why instead of being sad and crying for those who are gone, they celebrated the lives of their dear and loved people. At the same time, when Spaniards arrived in Mexico at the beginning of the 16th century, the custom of celebrating deceased people mixed up with Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

Today, Día de los Muertos is observed on the first and second of November. They make beautiful ofrenda altars using candles, flowers, images and the loved ones' favorite foods. Many visit cemeteries to clean the graves and offer flowers to the departed family members. One of the main elements of the holiday is the beautifully decorated skull made of sugar, which signifies death as an important aspect of life.