The Day of the Dead, with respect

What the Day of the Dead is

The Day of the Dead is observed mainly on November 1 and 2, though customs and dates vary by region and family. It is widely understood as a time when the spirits of the dead return to visit, and families welcome them with food, light, flowers and memories. Many communities link the first day to children who have died and the second to adults.

The tradition blends Indigenous Mexican practices of honoring ancestors with Catholic observances of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. It is celebrated across Mexico and by Mexican and Mexican American communities in the United States and elsewhere. UNESCO lists Mexico's Indigenous festivity dedicated to the dead as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage.

This page is a short, general introduction written by outsiders to the tradition. Families and regions practice it in many different ways. For deeper understanding, look to Mexican and Mexican American writers, museums and cultural centers.

The ofrenda

At the heart of many celebrations is the ofrenda, a home altar built to welcome the dead. Common elements include:

• Photos of the people being remembered.
• Marigolds, called cempasúchil, whose bright color and scent are said to help guide spirits home. Petals are sometimes scattered in paths.
• Candles for light and to show the way.
• Food and drink that the person enjoyed, along with water and pan de muerto, a sweet bread.
• Papel picado, cut tissue paper banners in bright colors.
• Calaveras, decorated skulls made of sugar, chocolate or clay.
• Personal items that recall the person's life and interests.

Families also visit cemeteries to clean and decorate graves, share food and spend time together. In many places these gatherings are lively and full of music and stories.

Sugar skulls and La Catrina

Sugar skulls, or calaveras de azúcar, are molded from sugar and decorated with colored icing, foil and sequins. A name is often written across the forehead, either of a person who has died or, in a playful spirit, of a living friend. They are an expression of affection, with nothing frightening about them.

The word calavera also refers to short, humorous poems written for the season, which imagine death coming for public figures or friends. This playful side echoes the work of the printmaker José Guadalupe Posada, whose elegant skeleton lady became known as La Catrina. Today Catrina figures and face painting are common in celebrations and parades.

How it differs from Halloween

The two fall close together on the calendar and both use skull imagery, so they are often mixed up. They have different roots and purposes. Halloween in the United States is mostly a playful night of costumes, candy and spooky fun. The Day of the Dead is centered on family, memory and honoring specific people who have died. Calling it "Mexican Halloween" misses the point.

Appreciating it with respect

• Learn before you borrow. Read about what ofrenda items mean before using them in decor.
• Keep the two holidays apart. Avoid putting Catrina face paint or ofrenda elements in a gory Halloween display.
• Support makers from the tradition. If you buy calaveras, papel picado or art, look for Mexican and Mexican American artists and local cultural events.
• Attend public events as a guest. Many museums and community centers hold exhibits and ofrenda displays. Ask before photographing family altars or people.
• Use it to remember your own people. Many who did not grow up with the tradition find that the core idea, remembering loved ones with warmth, carries over without copying its rituals.