The Day of the Dead or 'Dia de los Muertos' in Spanish, is a holiday that is celebrated in Southern and Central Mexico on November 1st and 2nd. This is a celebration that honors the souls and lives of the departed souls of loved ones. There are many items associated with this celebration and one is the sugar skull. OneHowTo.com will educate you on the meaning of the Mexican Day of the Dead skull.
How is the holiday celebrated?
The Mexican Day of the Dead is a celebration that has been practiced for hundreds of years. The belief is that the deceased children will come back to their families at midnight on October 31st. The gates of Heaven open up and allow them to spend time with their families. On November 2nd, all of the spirits of the deceased adults will come down from Heaven and take part in the parties that have been set up in their honor. The people of Mexico decorate altars with many different artifacts. Most of these are known as sugar skulls.
The meaning of the Mexican Day of the Dead sugar skulls
Sugar skulls have always been used in Mexican culture to help decorate the graves and altars of those who have passed away. They are called sugar skulls because they were once made of clay molded sugar. They are often decorated with beads, flowers, and foils. Larger skulls are used for deceased adults whereas smaller sugar skulls are used for the spirits of the deceased children.t
The day of the Dead sugar skulls were never meant to be scary, but they were meant to be whimsical and fun. They are used to help guide the spirits of the dead back to their families. The name of the deceased is usually written on the foreheads of the skulls and placed on their grave of altars that have been prepared for them. The skull is placed there with candles, flowers, and the deceased favorite food or beverage. This helps them to find their way back to their loved ones.
Symbolism of the sugar skull
Mexicans look at death in a very positive way. They think of death as a way of moving into a higher level of conscience. They feel that death is the rebirth of the soul and spirit. The flowers that are put on the skull symbolize life and the candles that are placed in the eyes are a sign of remembrance.
Death in Mexico is viewed as a very positive experience and the Day of the Dead is one of the most popular celebrations in the entire world.
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