Day Of The Dead

Day of the Dead
In Mexico more than a Christian festival is a celebration which mixes both pre-Hispanic culture and Catholic religion, where the Mexican people managed to keep their old traditions alive.Within these contrasting traditions mixed feelings, such as the pain of losing a loved one, attached to colorful and fun party.The feast day of the dead of two parts, the first day of All Saints held on November 1 and the Day of the Dead Day November 2:All Saints' Day (November 1)This day celebrates the feast of all the saints who had an exemplary life and also of deceased children.This party is small compared with the Day of the Dead, in the traditions it is customary to make altars Saints within the Churches, and many families make altars tend to their dead children either indoors or on gravestones cemeteries.The altars are decorated with multi-colored paper, marigolds, if the altar is for a child is put toys like cars, dolls, candy etc.Day of the Dead (November 2)This day celebrates the feast of the dead high in Mexico. The celebration is filled with many customs. People like to go and place flowers on the graves of their dead but for others it represents a rite starting from early morning when many families make altars for dead on the tombstones of their dead relatives, these altars are of great importance since with them is believed to help the dead to keep track during death.Families spend long hours working on the altar, many of these altars are considered true works of art, as they reflect the hard work, dedication and creativity of the people to provide good altar. There are many ways to make altars of the dead, usually the easier to make many people indoors as on a table covered with a tablecloth gets a picture of the deceased, and is decorated with flowers and memorabilia.Other altars are made according to tradition, which states that the altar must consist of 7 levels or steps that represent the seven levels that must pass the soul of the dead to rest. These altars are generally done in places where there is a large space which can fit around the altar, which must be sweeping the room with aromatic herbs to the four winds the day before the day of the dead. First builds or produces the skeleton of the altar with either cardboard, wood or whatever is so firmly established that they are 7 levels, of which the seventh must be almost level ground and on it gets the second level which is slightly smaller than the first and so on until you reach the first level, each step is lined with black and white fabric. Each step has a meaning and must contain certain specific objects:

    First step is put the picture of the virgin saint or devotion.

    Second step is for the souls in purgatory.

    Third salt to put children in purgatory.

    Fourth puts bread called "pan de muerto", this bread is decorated with red sugar simulating blood, it is recommended that the bread is cast by the relatives of the deceased, and it is a consecration.

    Quinto gets food and fruit that were preferred by the deceased.

    Sixth photo gets the deceased to whom the altar is dedicated.

    Ultimo gets the cross of a rosary made of hawthorn and limes.The offerings that are placed inside the altar are:

    Four candles are lit in a cross-oriented leading to the four cardinal points, beside the altar, turns a clay pot on a portable stove with herbs: basil, bay leaf, rosemary, chamomile and more.Items you must have an altar are:

    Chains purple and yellow paper that signify the union between life and death.

    Giving colorful confetti and joie de vivre.

    Flowers are welcome for the soul, white flower represents the sky yellow flower, the earth and the abode of mourning.

    Candles with flames represent the ascension of the spirit. Also mean light guide the way.

    New white canvas representing purity, the sky.

    The candle represents the soul alone.

    Copal incense whose smoke symbolizes the passage from life to death.

    Maize accounts harvest.

    Fruits are the gift that nature gives us. They are usually sugar cane, oranges, hawthorn and jicama.

    The sugar skulls are an indigenous custom.

    Water gives life and energy to the road.

    The dishes with the question of pleasing the deceased sharing food he liked.

    Picture of the person to whom tribute is dedicated.

    A Christ for blessings there.

    A lime cross symbolizing the four cardinal points.

    Salt for the body is not corrupted.

    A path from the front door to the altar formed with marigold flower.

    A rod to release the dead from the devil and evil spirits.

    Personal belongings of the deceased.People watch at night in the grave waiting for the spirit of his dead down and enjoy your gift.This celebration is different in other places, for example in Oaxaca are made enormous carpets made of flowers along the main streets that represent true craftsmanship of people, ethnic groups elsewhere perform rites of their ancestors, to worship the dead.