An entirely different celebration occurs at this time of year besides Halloween, it is Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead.Day of the Dead is a special time of year where many people build altars, clean cemeteries, and remember loved ones.
I always like this celebration. It has occurred for thousands of years dating back to the Aztecs, Olmecs, Zapotecs, Mayans, and Mexicans and more cultures.
It culminates on November 1 when children who have passed away are remembered and it is sometimes called Dia de los Inocentes (Day of the Innocents) or Dia de los Angelitos (Day of the Angels). November 2nd is Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) when adults are remembered.
I have many wonderful Day of the Dead art items in my home office. The photo today is one of my favorites and shows a couple of guys and their dog being lead by a guide on their way to Mictlan, the final destination after death but one that requires a long time and lots of travel and obstacles to overcome to eventually arrive. This piece of art is very tiny (about three inches high and five inches long).
We have underwater photos on our travel site at Viva la Voyage!
We have underwater photos on our travel site at Viva la Voyage!
14 comments:
That tradition as celebrated makes so much more sense as honoring the lives of deceased loved ones, rather than some of the morbid thoughts we Norte Americanos have regarding death.
Wonderful artifact, like many I used to see in Mexico.
This is a wonderful and respectful tradition. Hopefully people will appreciate the difference in cultures and not regard the figures as spooky.
This remembrance is the opposite of some cultures, such as aborigines is Australia, who never speak of people once they have passed away.
Seems like it is a constant theme in many cultures.
Since moving to Arizona, I have enjoyed many Dia de los Muertos celebrations and the wonderful art that goes with them.
I like that Julie! We don't have that celebration around here that I know of.
I love the idea of having a special day to honor children who have died.
I love your Day of the Dead art. Hope you'll show us more.
It makes more sense to honor the dead than disguise oneself from the devil.
Thanks for sharing.
I received two of these cute little figurines for my wedding. One was a little cake topper and the other they were in a little car on the way to their honeymoon. We thought they were really funny :)
Neat miniature, Julie. And I like the little animal keeping the company honest.
This is something my wife was familiar with, but I knew nothing about. Very interesting.
Really creepy, it seems to have a tim burton like feel to it, nice work.
Great piece for the celebration of the Dead. In altars (Ofrendas) you can see items like this make of sugar or chocolate inside houses, shop windows or art installations. Perfect post for these coming days.
A beautiful piece of art, I have seen similar ones in shops but I like this one better. Dia de los Muertos is a wonderful holiday.
I've really enjoyed all your pre-Halloween posts. Really well done with the photos and the write-ups. I've learned a lot.
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