Día de muertos (Day of the dead)
Día de muertos is celebrated in November the 2nd, it emphasizes remembrance of past lives and expresses celebration of the continuity of life. The festivities and traditions vary from place to place, but the ofrendas are representative of the celebration. An altar is the way families place offerings to the deceased. The colorful altars, which are a personal expression of love towards the family members now passed, these are not for worshiping but instead for the purpose of remembrance and celebration of a life lived. They are usually layered: the top tier contains a picture or pictures of the remembered deceased as well as religious statues or symbols. The second tier will contain the ofrendas: toys are usually offered for deceased children, and bottles of tequila, mezcal, or atole for deceased adults. Personal ornaments, and the deceased’s favorite food, and Pan de Muerto. The third tier will feature candles. Every altar features calaveras (decorated candied skulls made from sugar) as well as the bright orange marigolds, better known as flor de muerto (flower of the dead), one of the iconic symbols of the celebrations across Mexico. The streets are also decorated with various elements, which makes the celebration a very colorful one.
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