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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 are mixed feelings , such as 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 is celebrated 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 Saints make altars in churches , and many families usually make their children dead
altars either indoors or on the tombstones in cemeteries.
The altars are decorated with paper of many colors, marigold flowers , if the altar is
for a child as you put toys , dolls , candy etc. .
Day of the Dead ( November 2 )
This day celebrates the highest feast of the dead in Mexico . The celebration is filled
with many customs . To people like to go and place flowers on the graves of their dead
but for others it represents a rite which start from the morning when many families
make altars of the dead on the tombstones of their dead relatives , these altars are
of great significance because with them is believed to help the dead to bring a good
way for 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 inside their houses as on a table covered with a tablecloth put a
photograph of the deceased , and is decorated with flowers and some memories .
Other altars are made according to tradition, which states that the altar must consist of
7 levels or steps that represent the 7 levels that must pass the soul of the dead to rest.
These altars are usually done in places where there is a large space where you can fit around
the altar, which must be swept 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 either cardboard
boxes , 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 photo gets *** 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 sets deceased to whom the altar is dedicated .
Last puts 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 is placed a clay pot on a brazier with aromatic herbs : basil , bay leaf , rosemary
, chamomile and more.
Items you must have an altar are:
Paper chains purple and yellow to signify the union between life and death.
Shredded paper that gives color and joy of living .
Flowers are welcome for the soul, white flower represents heaven yellow flower, the earth
and the abode of mourning .
Candles with their flames represent the ascension of the spirit. Also mean light guide the way.
New white canvas representing purity , heaven.
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 which it is to please the deceased sharing food he liked.
Photograph of the person to whom tribute is dedicated .
A Christ for there blessings.
A lime cross symbolizes the 4 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 offering.
This celebration is different in other places , for example in Oaxaca made huge carpets
are made of flowers along the main streets that represent true craftsmanship of the people,
ethnic groups elsewhere perform rites as their ancestors , to worship dead .