Día
de
Muertos
:
Honoring
Life
and
Death
Día
de
Muertos
,
or
Day
of
the
Dead
,
is
one
of
Mexico
?
s
most
iconic
celebrations
.
This
holiday
takes
place
on
November
1st
and
2nd
each
year
and
serves
as
a
joyful
remembrance
of
loved
ones
who
have
passed
away
.
It
is
a
time
when
families
come
together
to
build
and
create
(
ofrendas
)
for
the
deceased
.
Unlike
other
traditions
that
mourn
death
,
Día
de
Muertos
celebrates
it
with
color
,
flavor
,
and
music
.
The
Symbolism
of
the
Altar
The
centerpiece
of
this
tradition
is
the
altar
,
often
built
at
home
or
in
cemeteries
.
Each
offering
(
ofrenda
)
placed
on
the
altar
holds
special
meaning
.
Families
display
photographs
of
the
deceased
,
their
favorite
foods
,
and
personal
items
that
remind
them
of
their
lives
.
are
lit
to
illuminate
the
way
for
spirits
,
helping
them
return
to
the
world
of
the
living
.
The
scent
of
purifies
the
space
and
attracts
the
souls
.
Flowers
,
Skulls
,
and
More
An
essential
part
of
the
decoration
is
the
flower
.
Known
as
the
"
flower
of
the
dead
,
"
its
vibrant
color
and
strong
fragrance
are
believed
to
guide
the
spirits
.
Additionally
,
families
place
on
the
altar
to
symbolize
death
and
rebirth
.
People
also
paint
their
faces
with
skull
motifs
,
echoing
the
cheerful
skeleton
figure
of
,
a
cultural
symbol
that
humorously
portrays
death
.
Grave
Visits
and
Festivities
On
these
two
days
,
families
visit
the
of
their
loved
ones
.
They
clean
and
decorate
the
graves
with
flowers
,
including
marigolds
,
and
light
candles
.
Some
families
even
spend
the
night
at
the
cemetery
,
sharing
food
,
stories
,
and
memories
of
the
departed
.
figures
are
everywhere
during
this
celebration
,
representing
both
the
departed
and
the
acceptance
of
death
as
a
natural
part
of
life
.
Día
de
Muertos
is
a
vibrant
reminder
that
death
is
not
the
end
but
a
continuation
of
the
journey
.
Through
,
,
and
symbolic
elements
like
and
,
Mexicans
keep
the
memory
of
their
loved
ones
alive
,
ensuring
that
the
spirits
never
feel
forgotten
.
New game