Sasha
27 September 2022
Crash course in Día de Muertos!
One of Mexico's most famous celebrations, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), is coming around once again on November 2. But, while many of us have seen the pictures of elaborate dresses, ceremonies, and celebrations, there's a lot more to this Mexican tradition than meets the eye. Read on for a crash course on Día de los Muertos!
What is Día de los Muertos?
Día de los Muertos celebration in Mexico
Día de los Muertos is a time when Mexican families gather to celebrate and remember deceased family members, friends, and other loved ones. This tradition has its roots in ancient Aztec custom - prior to Spanish colonisation, the Aztecs paid respect to their dead with rituals and celebrations at the time of the harvest, viewed as a time of renewed life and the beginning of the cycle of seasons. This was later infused with Catholic traditions introduced from Europe, giving rise to the unique cultural and religious celebration we today know as the Day of the Dead.
What happens during Día de los Muertos?
While Día de los Muertos itself is on November 2, the festivities and ceremonies begin on October 31, when deceased children, or los angelitos, are remembered. November 1 is the day of remembering adults, and all spirits are believed to depart Earth on November 2, completing the celebration.
Music is played both at home and in Mexico's many public cemeteries, and families visit the graves of their relatives to spend time with their loved ones, both dead and alive. Celebrations are accompanied by elaborate dress and makeup to mark this traditional celebration, including masks in the likeness of calaveras (skulls). One of the most well-known traditions associated with Día de los Muertos is that of making ofrendas - altars or offerings to deceased love ones, a fascinating mixture of Catholic and Aztec traditions. The ofrenda is one of the key pillars of Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico, and though their exact composition varies greatly depending on region, town, and the means available to each family, great effort and care is always involved. Many types of offering are laid at the ofrenda, ranging from traditional food and flowers to incense, toys, clothes and traditional iconography.
An ofrenda
Pan de muerto and other traditional dishes!
Pan de muerto
Pan de muerto, or bread for the dead, is the most iconic of the Mexican foods associated with Día de los Muertos. It is a sweet bread often shaped with knobs that represent bones and skulls, in line with the other traditions of Día de los Muertos. Less well-known dishes cooked on this occasion include chicken in red or black mole; tortillas made of ground maize; and tequila. All these foods and drinks are thought to nourish souls as they begin their journey from the physical realm to the spiritual.
The Cempasúchil flower and its significance
The cempasúchil flower
The beautiful Cempasúchil flower, or marigold in English, features prominently in Day of the Dead celebrations. It was employed frequently by the Aztecs in ceremonies as a symbol of death - once the flower's stem is cut, it dies very quickly. It is also often associated with a transition from the physical to the supernatural, which is fitting for this iconic Mexican celebration.
Fascinated by Mexican culture? Here's 10 things you might not know about Mexico!
Take our course matching quiz
Not sure which course is right for you? We’ve got you – answer a few questions to find the right class for you. Select the option that’s closest to your level of experience.
What's your experience with learning Spanish?
None, I'm brand new to Spanish
We heart absolute beginners. No matter the reason for wanting to learn, we have a class style for you.
A little, I can speak some
Let’s build on those fundamentals! Progressing focuses on increasing grammar and vocabulary while building your speaking confidence.
Experienced, keen to improve
Here’s where you learn to become fluent and begin to build natural interactions.
More like this
Join us for our Summer Intensives in 2026 (January 12-23) - an exciting two weeks of Spanish study in Northcote, Melbourne CBD and Online! This is a chance to boost your level in a way that would normally take months....
Penny
Australia's best-loved Spanish language school, now teaching in Melbourne CBD, Northcote, and Online. Learn Spanish socially - whoever and wherever you are.
Phil
The Spanish Film Festival is back in Melbourne in June/July and features the best cinema from Spain and Latin America.
Penny
Carousel
Carousel-
“
You can't do better than this school! It's a very well organised school. They have so many levels you will find the right class for you. Great teachers, fun and just the right amount of challenge.
-
“
After becoming frustrated at my lack of progress with their competitor, I received a recommendation for the classes at El Patio. Since enrolling I have never looked back.
-
“
I never shut up about how much I like my classes, pretty sure my colleagues and all my friends are getting sick of hearing about it.
-
“
After finding another company frustrating and unenthusiastic, El Patio has reinvigorated my excitement for learning Spanish...
-
“
The teachers are welcoming and seem to love what they do, which brings passion to each class. The homework and resources are highly organised and professional. I would highly recommend El Patio Spanish
-
“
As a retired teacher, I know good teaching when I see it, and the teachers at El Patio are absolutely wonderful - caring, professional and fun.