Dia de Los Muertos: " Curly Calavera Catrina" Edition

Dia de los Muertos

🏵Why?

Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead has been celebrated for thousands of years to honor the dead. This lively Mexican holiday, now celebrated around the world, was first observed over 3,000 years ago by the indigenous Aztecs and Toltecs. A beautiful cultural celebration to immortalize the legacy of those that have passed away by those that love them and keep their memory alive. It is a happy celebration, to demonstrate love and respect for loved ones who have ascended.

In Aztec mythology, Dia de los Muertos was hosted by the Aztec goddess Mictecacihuatl, known as 'Lady of the Dead'. It is believed that she died in childbirth and along with her husband, ruled the underworld and guarded the bones of the dead. Aztecs believed these bones were a source of life in the next world and Mictecacihuatl collected these bones hoping to one day be restored by the gods and returned to the land of the living. Her grinning skull face, is seen everywhere during Dia de los Muertos and is known as a La Calavera Catrina. It symbolizes the protection of the dead and the unique realtionship those that observe this holiday have with death. From exquisite face paint to sugar skulls, this has become the universal symbol of Dia del los Muertos.

🏵When?

Traditionally, celebrated on November 1st & 2nd, this time is set aside to honor our dearly departed and keep their memory alive by setting up beautiful altars in their memory. Welcoming the spirit of our loved ones no longer with us, food and drink are prepared, fiestas and activites are held to celebrate things the persons honored used to enjoy when living. This 2-day celebration, Dia de los Muertos, is a time to celebrate rather than mourn those that have gone on before us and a way to keep their memory alive and welcome their spirit back to visit for the day.

Why is it a 2-day event?

November 1st is for remembrance of deceased infants and children – "los angelitos". Those who have died as adults are honored on November 2nd.

🏵How ?

An "ofrenda" or altar is constructed with favorite foods like tamales, Mole Negro, sopes and pozole. Drinks are added like atole, champurrado and pulque, made from the fermented sap of the maguey plant and known as the The Nectar of the Gods. Ofrendas almost always have pan del los muertos, bread made special for the celebration and sugar skulls and cookies, keepsakes and photos of those being honored and most always is decorated with vibrant golden-orange Marigold flowers. These bright blooms are thought to guide the spirits to the altars with their striking hue and strong scent. A candle is also lit for each person remembered along with Copal, or incense.

Why do you see salt on an ofrenda?

Salt acts to cleanse the spirits and purify their souls during the following year.

When celebrating this Latino holiday, it is customary to participate by dressing in your cultrual finest and decorating your face with make up to resemble a Catarina or Catrin. This look is sometimes polished with a flower crown worn by women and hat worn by men, all wearing brightly colored clothing.

View below for how our Rizos Curls Team honored their loved ones during

Dia de Los Muertos by becoming Curly Calavera Catrinas: