Read on Twitter
okay so...
The meaning and importance of "El dia de Muertos"
long thread!
The meaning and importance of "El dia de Muertos"
long thread!
hi! im nami and as much of you know im mexican! it's almost 1st of november and it's getting close on of my favorite days in the year, El dia de muertos!
here in Mexico we make a big celebration to respect and remember the ones who we love but arent here with us anymore
here in Mexico we make a big celebration to respect and remember the ones who we love but arent here with us anymore
The tradition exists centuries ago, the pre-Columbian peoples were the creators of this celebration that consisted of putting an altar for the dead
It consisted in, that for one day in the year those people who had died could come to the world of the living to visit their loved ones and thus there would be an eternal bond between them
This also consisted in that the pre-Columbian peoples did not believe in heaven and hell as such, they believed in the existence of a different world to which you traveled, passing a series of tests, you were not punished or rewarded, you simply transcended
Obviously, said meaning changed when religion arrived on the continent, so the meaning changed but the idea of commemorating dead people persists
So, leaving a little clear about the origin of this I will talk a little more about the most current tradition!
So, leaving a little clear about the origin of this I will talk a little more about the most current tradition!
So it is actually divided into two days!
The first day, November 1, consists of celebrating the angels who are actually deceased children, we believe that children have no malice so when they die they are considered angels by their innocent souls
The first day, November 1, consists of celebrating the angels who are actually deceased children, we believe that children have no malice so when they die they are considered angels by their innocent souls
The second, November 2, is to celebrate all the dead! adults, children and even pets!
The tradition begins with the altar that is an offering, which carries specific elements with important meanings!
The tradition begins with the altar that is an offering, which carries specific elements with important meanings!
As you can see, the altar has levels and each level means something!
The prehispanic people believed that to transcend you had to go a long way that went through 7 different tests, the altar then must have 7 levels that represent these tests!
The prehispanic people believed that to transcend you had to go a long way that went through 7 different tests, the altar then must have 7 levels that represent these tests!
another version of this, the catholic one, says that are three levels that represent
- Heaven
- Hell
- Earth
- Heaven
- Hell
- Earth
so, the altar need to have really important parts that are impossible to forget because then, the dead one who's visiting would no be really pleased!
The most important one!
The photo, you need to put a photo of the person who will visit you that night
The most important one!
The photo, you need to put a photo of the person who will visit you that night
A path made of cempasuchil!
the cempasuchil will help the dead to find the way to the altar and will give them light not to get lost when coming and going
did you know cempasuchil is a mexican flower? it's so pretty! but it's also really fragile, and it has a really unique smell
the cempasuchil will help the dead to find the way to the altar and will give them light not to get lost when coming and going
did you know cempasuchil is a mexican flower? it's so pretty! but it's also really fragile, and it has a really unique smell
As we were conquered by Catholics (?) a rood of salt is placed, which fulfills the function of helping the dead to atone for their sins
This can also be made with with seeds!
This can also be made with with seeds!
candles and incense is just as important! The candles represent the light that you offer to the dead and the incense is in charge of purifying the soul! many flowers are still important, they are to attract attention and give life to the altar!
and something that is extremely important !!
The dead one favorite food! Because they come from a long trip to visit us, it is appropriate to help them give them energy so that their return trip is good, they put dishes, drinks and fruits!
The dead one favorite food! Because they come from a long trip to visit us, it is appropriate to help them give them energy so that their return trip is good, they put dishes, drinks and fruits!
This is a belief and that is true because it happened in my house.
If you try to eat that food the next day it no longer has flavor because it is believed that the dead one has eaten and then he took the essence of the food
I checked with my grandmother's food years ago!!
If you try to eat that food the next day it no longer has flavor because it is believed that the dead one has eaten and then he took the essence of the food
I checked with my grandmother's food years ago!!
with this we go to EL PAN DE MUERTO!!!
i love this with my entire life because it's the best bread in the world, believe me
this doesnt really has an important meaning we're mexicans and we love pan, thats all
you're not living well if you haven eat pan de muerto
i love this with my entire life because it's the best bread in the world, believe me
this doesnt really has an important meaning we're mexicans and we love pan, thats all
you're not living well if you haven eat pan de muerto
water!
"among other meanings, it reflects the purity of the soul, the continuous sky of regeneration of life and crops and in the altar it is represented with a glass full of water that serves for the spirit to mitigate its thirsty after the journey from the world of the dead"
"among other meanings, it reflects the purity of the soul, the continuous sky of regeneration of life and crops and in the altar it is represented with a glass full of water that serves for the spirit to mitigate its thirsty after the journey from the world of the dead"
i bet anyone have seen this!
this is called "alfeñique" and its made of just sugar, all of it its sugar, represent that the dead one is always present
this is called "alfeñique" and its made of just sugar, all of it its sugar, represent that the dead one is always present
a thing i like a lot but i think is not traidition in all the places is the representation of a dog!
pre-colombian people hey revered the dog a lot and it was believed that a dog would be in charge of taking you on your way when you die
pre-colombian people hey revered the dog a lot and it was believed that a dog would be in charge of taking you on your way when you die
They say a lot that, whoever treats dogs badly is destined to drown in the river that takes you to the world of the dead because a guide dog is supposed to lead through it safely!
so dont be rude with dogs if you wanna go there
so dont be rude with dogs if you wanna go there
do you know that parties are held here in cemeteries? The relatives stay all night to receive their loved ones and it becomes a huge party, mariachi takes place, dance and celebrate, of course, there's sadness but also happines cause youre again with the one who already left
Now, La Catrina! i guess a lot of people knows her
She is a characteristic character and was created by Jose Gualupe Posada! she is actually a mockery because she represented those who believed themselves to be Europeans even though they had indigenous blood
She is a characteristic character and was created by Jose Gualupe Posada! she is actually a mockery because she represented those who believed themselves to be Europeans even though they had indigenous blood
It is very common that on that day children and people dress up as the catrina because of how iconic it is for us and since 1900 it has been an important part of our celebration
For us it is important to remember those who have already left, it is our way of having them always close and always being remembered! but instead of it being something sad we want it to be a great and happy celebration
I have lived under this tradition all my life! at the beginning I had no one to put an altar to but hey, now I have someone and I am always excited to think that for a day, those who are no longer there, I can tell them how much I love them
so, even if you're not from here, you should try to do it, it's a nice feeling and if you believe a little you might feel happy to do it on behalf of someone you miss
if you got here
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
I love this day and I literally spend the whole year thinking about this because of how important it is to me!
if anyone has questions feel free to ask! I tried to cover the most important things but I would not mind answering questions!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
I love this day and I literally spend the whole year thinking about this because of how important it is to me!
if anyone has questions feel free to ask! I tried to cover the most important things but I would not mind answering questions!
end of the thread! i guess?
