Gorgeous Photos of Mexico’s Day of the Dead Celebrations

Photo: Diego Grandi/Shutterstock

Mexico’s Day of the Dead

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout the world by people of Mexican ancestry. It takes places over the course of three days: October 31, November 1, and November 2. The holiday is a time for family and friends to remember and pray for those who have died and to guide them on their spiritual journey.

During Dia de los Muertos, the dead are awakened and celebrate life with those that are still on earth. In addition to praying, many people build private altars called ofrendas, visit the graves of the departed, and participate in festivals and parades. Two very popular symbols of the holiday are calacas and calaveras (skeletons and skulls). You will see them everywhere during the holiday; painted on faces, as wooden figures and candles, and incorporated into costumes. Rather than focusing on mourning and sadness, the Mexican culture accepts death as a natural part of life—and these Day of the Dead pictures show just how beautiful that can be.

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