Day of the dead (31st October to 2nd of November)
Day of the dead is a Mexican holiday that the boundaries between life and death begin to blur which is started by Dia de los Muertos. Everybody honor and celebrate their loved ones who passed away in homes or graveyards. The day of the dead serve as a day of rejoicing memories of dead people and a positive affirmation of the cycle of life and death. Also the day of the dead encourage people to live more meaningful life by giving a concept that we will all die, helping people to acknowledge and internalize. Celebrations of ‘day of the dead’ are done in many different ways. 1. Altars: Built during Dia de los Muertos to honor the lives of dead people. Often quiet beautiful creations, constructed with love and care. One of the most important traditions during day of the dead. They are usually arranged on a table top that is draped with cloth. Examples of altars are Candles, Marigolds (yellow orange flowers that symbolize death which had strong fragrance), Incense (dried aromatic resin form a native Mexican tree, scent said to guide spirits back to their altars), Salt (continuance of life), Photo of the deceased, Sugar skulls (offerings, symbols of death and the afterlife), Fresh fruit and other food (dead person’s favorite). 2. Papel picado: A popular Mexican art from (shows up in various other occasions) which is a Spanish phrase for perforated paper. A detailed designs that are traditionally hand-cut onto bright colored tissue papers. Day of the dead papel picado is always humorous. Common day of the dead papel picado imagery examples are smiling sugar skulls, dancing skeletons, drinking/feasting skeletons, skeletons getting married, skeletons singing and playing instruments. 3. Face painting: Day of the dead face paintings is popular worldwide by strong colors and decorations. Painting can be in any style, sexy, cute, or sugar skull (most popular). Things to consider before face paintings are style, how much of the face to cover, skin color, accent shade colors, shapes of the face and décor. Instruments needed are skin safe makeup materials, small spray bottle of water, bobby pins, small scissor, trash container, table cloth, sponges, brushes and glitters or other decors. Famous sugar skull painting tips are dark eye holes, darkened tip of the nose, skull mouth, sunken cheeks, flower/spider webs/spirals/jewels/stencils décor and skin coloring. |
"Día De Los Muertos at Olvera Street 110109Su." Flickr. Yahoo!, n.d. Web. 2 Nov. 2014.
"Interesting Day of the Dead Facts and Other Day of the Dead Information."Interesting Day of the Dead Facts and Other Day of the Dead Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Nov. 2014.
"Day of the Dead Altars: Tradition, Images, and History of Dia De Los Muertos Altar." Day of the Dead Altars: Tradition, Images, and History of Dia De Los Muertos Altar. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Nov. 2014.
"Day of the Dead Face Painting: How to Do Sugar Skull Makeup." Day of the Dead Face Painting: How to Do Sugar Skull Makeup. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Nov. 2014.
"Dia De Los Muertos - DAY OF THE DEAD - AMERICA'S NEWEST HOLIDAY."History of Day of the Dead & the Mexican Sugar Skull Tradition. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Nov. 2014.
"Interesting Day of the Dead Facts and Other Day of the Dead Information."Interesting Day of the Dead Facts and Other Day of the Dead Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Nov. 2014.
"Day of the Dead Altars: Tradition, Images, and History of Dia De Los Muertos Altar." Day of the Dead Altars: Tradition, Images, and History of Dia De Los Muertos Altar. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Nov. 2014.
"Day of the Dead Face Painting: How to Do Sugar Skull Makeup." Day of the Dead Face Painting: How to Do Sugar Skull Makeup. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Nov. 2014.
"Dia De Los Muertos - DAY OF THE DEAD - AMERICA'S NEWEST HOLIDAY."History of Day of the Dead & the Mexican Sugar Skull Tradition. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Nov. 2014.