Coinciding with All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day each November 1
and 2nd, The Day of the Dead (or El Dia de los Muertos) is one
of Mexico’s most significant holidays. And unlike Halloween —
where traditional costumes are designed to scare away magical
and mischievous spirits — the Day of the Dead is a celebration
of those who have died. It honors the lives of lost relatives,
friends and public figures and invites time to reflect on those
who have passed. It is vibrant and spiritual celebration to
experience during a Mexico trip. Dia de los Muertos originated
from an ancient Aztec festival in honor the goddess
Mictecacihuatl, the Lady of the Dead. Today, Mexican families
create colorful altars in their homes. As the holiday
approaches, families tend to local cemeteries clearing weeds,
laying out flowers, candles and scrubbing tombstones. Special
markets appear where locals shop for El Dia de los Muertos
decorations: skeleton puppets, sugar skulls, miniature coffins,
skeleton puppets and the familiar skeleton mas