Congrats Dear Death! (Feliz día, Muerte querida!)
I just wanted to share with you the special way we mexicans celebrate death. We see her (is a woman for us, Mictecacihuatl), as a friend, even an ally, because she is the only one truly fair in this universe; doesn’t matter if are rich, poor, black, white, good, bad, etc., she’ll come for you.
Mexico is one of the countries with more Catholics in the world, so the days of November 1st. (All Saint’s day) and November 2nd. (All souls’ day) are dedicated to the memory of the people you loved and now are in Heaven.
It’s customary to build an altar in honor of your loved one and for those deceased without a family to remember them. Celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed.
These are the elements of the making of the altar:
A) At least it should have two levels, to represent Heaven and Earth.
B)The picture or pictures of the deceased members of the family.
C) A Cross in the superior level of the altar. It works as a purification device for the spirits, and another one made with ashes to help the souls in purgatory get into Heaven.
D) stamp of the Souls in Purgatory, to help them know they have someone praying for them.
E) A recipient with frankincense, to elevate our prayers to God.
F) An adorned arch that symbolizes the gate to the underworld.
G) Candles. It’s light serves as guide for those in shadows to this world, always in an even number.
H) A glass of water because it reflects pureness, symbolizes the cycle of life and because water is the passage to the next world. We also put soap and a sponge for the deceased’s personal hygiene.
I) Flowers, specially cempasúchil (a kind of marigold), because it’s scent pleases the loved ones.
J) Pan de muertos (a sweet egg bread made in various shapes, from plain rounds to skulls and rabbits often decorated with white frosting to look like twisted bones, delicious!!!).
K) A print of the “Calavera Catrina” (“Skull of the female dandy”) by José Guadalupe Posada.
Thanks for reading this. It was important for me to share with you the traditions that make me proud of being mexicana.
L) Calaveritas ("Little skulls"), that are mocking epitaphs of the still living members of the family, sometimes describing interesting habits and attitudes or some funny anecdotes.
M) Sugar Skulls, one representing each member of the family the shrine is dedicated to.
N)Food. We make our beloved’s favorite meals in life so they won’t get hungry. Believe it or not, the food is tasteless the next morning. Believe me! Like the spirits really do eat them. In my case I mostly prepare tamales, mole, calabaza en tacha, atole, etc.
O) Alcohol. Hey dead or not, they still like to party!
P) Personal stuff, like my grandpa’s pipe, my dad’s favorite horse resin figurine, and so on.
Q) Colored paper, represents the wind and the happiness of the celebration.
Then we eat and pray asking for the death ones to intercede for us to God and making them the promise to see them in the afterlife, asking them to come back next year.
We are one wicked and strange country, but it’s good to celebrate the love we had for those who cut in line to the final destination.
Luv, Roguemarch
To know how to make your own altar click here, it's in english.