| Keyword |
Description |
| Ofrenda |
A colorful altar with photos, foods, candles, and gifts to honor, welcome, and remember visiting spirits during Day of the Dead |
| Cempasúchil |
Orange marigold flower whose bright color and strong scent help guide the spirits of loved ones home for the celebration |
| Pan de muerto |
A round, decorated sweet bread shared with family and placed on altars for ancestors during Day of the Dead |
Across Mexico, the ending days of October bring the start of something magical: Day of the Dead. Streets fill with orange marigolds, candles glow in homes, and families prepare for special guests—the spirits of loved ones. Unlike other traditions that focus on sadness, this time is about shining memories and joyful reunions. People believe that for a brief period, the boundary between the world of the living and the dead disappears, allowing those who passed away to visit and be honored once again.
The idea behind Day of the Dead comes from ancient cultures like the Aztecs, who saw death as the next step on a long journey, not the end. They believed souls traveled through the Land of the Dead and eventually found rest. Centuries later, when Spanish Catholicism arrived, old beliefs mixed with new ones to create today's celebrations. Now, families clean their homes, build altars called “ofrendas,” and offer favorite foods, drinks, and special objects to show love and respect to those who have gone but are never forgotten.
Day of the Dead is celebrated officially on November 1 and 2. November 1 honors children who have died, and November 2 is for adults. In some places, the celebration starts earlier to remember people lost to accidents or violence and even beloved pets. The main part of every home during these days is the ofrenda, a beautifully decorated altar with salt, water, “pan de muerto” (a sweet bread), and “papel picado” (colorful cut paper). The most important decoration is the marigold (cempasúchil), believed to guide spirits home through its bright color and scent.
During Day of the Dead, families visit cemeteries, decorate graves, play music, and share stories. Skeletons, especially La Catrina, are everywhere and remind us to face death with laughter and hope instead of fear. Food is a key part of the celebration, with pan de muerto, tamales, and candy skulls shared on altars and at family gatherings. Most of all, Day of the Dead teaches us to live fully and remember those who shaped our lives—it’s a celebration not just for the dead, but for the living, showing how love and memory can bring us together every year.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English |
Spanish |
| Catholicism |
Catolicismo |
| Ancient cultures |
Culturas antiguas |
| To celebrate |
Celebrar |
Time to discuss
- Why is remembering ancestors important in many cultures?
- What makes Day of the Dead different from funerals in other countries?
- How can symbols like marigolds and skeletons change our view of death?
Let's write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph:
- Describe a tradition in your family that helps you remember loved ones.
- How would you design an ofrenda for someone you admire, and what items would you include?
