Perspectives on ‘Day of the Dead’

Day of the Dead represents a Western version of Halloween. With its skulls, masks, costumes and other related objects, the Day of Dead in Mexico is something beyond the trick-or-treat concept but rather connected to one’s deep heritage and family roots. It’s a celebration of sorts but with deep emotional linkage to one’s family and culture. While Halloween enables many to enjoy costumes and food/candy, there’s not typically a conjoined cultural impact.

According to The Day of Dead in Mexico Web site, Day of the Dead represents a mixture of Christian devotion and Pre-Hispanic traditions and beliefs. As a result of this mixture, the celebration comes to life as a unique Mexican tradition including an altar and offerings dedicated to the deceased.

I view this “ceremony” as a celebration of life rather than a process for mourning the dead. Although, Day of Dead does both, one can’t help but witness this as more of a joyous occasion, celebration. True to tradition, the ceremony leverages many natural elements including earth, wind, fire and water. According to the site:

Earth is represented by crop: The Mexicans believe the souls are fed by the aroma of food.

Wind is represented by a moving object: Tissue paper is commonly used to represent wind.

Water is placed in a container for the soul to quench its thirst after the long journey to the altar.

Fire is represented by a wax candle: Each lit candle represents a soul, and an extra one is placed for the forgotten soul.

While nature is a large component, the theatrical aspect can’t be missed. As mentioned earlier, the use of masks and costumes captures the celebratory, theatrical elements and lures participants to engage and celebrate one’s family and culture. The offerings – those items placed during Day of the Dead – are a key aspect of the celebration and represent the individual feelings toward life.

Skeletons are another key aspect of the Day of Dead celebration. These are often prepared by a bakery and later shared by the family.

The Day of the Dead ceremony has certainly opened my eyes to cultural aspects not touched in my own family, experiences. It’s comforting to know that cultures take time to celebrate death through the lens of one’s life – it brings neighbors and families together, it takes time to experience, mourn, heal, it extends one’s culture no matter where they happen to be.

Woman with a Somber Gaze
Woman with a somber gaze,
Tell me, what do you see in the candles?
are they ghosts in the night
or are they flowers of the earth?

What do you treasure on your lap
illuminated and transparent,
even in the air
your silhouette appears?

Twice as much the pain,
twice as much the loss,
the flowers have become rivers
and the fragrance cries out.

Pondering at night,
vigil of the imagination,
bundle of lights and echoes,
stay up late during the wake... Woman with a tender gaze
the flames of candles reach out;
are they mocking this moment
or are they restfully flickering out.

In your illuminated face
life rejuvenates,
to those who love death
this is a golden ninght in their sight.

For those who love life
it is a night of confusion,
the wax kisses the flowers
and the flame caresses the emotions.

Julie Sopetran, 1995
(Spanish poet)