Commemorating Our Loved Ones -- Day of the Dead - Dia de los Muertos --
#IstandwithStandingRock
Lady of the Dead
In Pre-Columbian times, the Aztecs believed in Mictlantecuhtli, Lord of Mictlan and his wife, Mictecacihuatl. The ruling God, Quetzalcoatl, created the World and when he finished, he then put Mictlantecuhtli as the ruler of Mictlan, which was the Aztec Underworld. Mictecacihuatl's role as Queen of the Underworld was to watch over the bones of the dead, and to preside over celebrations and festivities that honored the Gods and Deities of the Underworld who would guide the souls of the dead in the difficult journey through Mictlan. In Aztec times, Mictecacihuatl, also known as the "Lady of the Dead," was the prominent figure of the celebration venerating the Gods of the Underworld and would be depicted like her husband in the form of a skeleton.
A Family Eating and Celebrating Together
The conquest of the New World by the Spanish would completely change the lives of all natives living there. The Spaniards brought the Catholic religion and attempted to indoctrinate all the natives with Catholicism through acts of kindness, coercion, and force. Those that resisted the Spanish and their religion faced the possibility of burning at the stake under the Inquisition. Many of the ancient rituals were lost or forgotten but there were a few that would remain and could not and would not be eradicated.
After the Ceremonial Blessing, Families follow in a procession,
some carrying pictures or other remembrances of their deceased loved ones
Placita Olvera -11/01/16
Catholics celebrated All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, and the Aztecs celebrated something similar in the festivities of Mictecacihuatl. The ancient Aztec festivity of venerating the dead and the deities of the Underworld would be incorporated with the Catholic Church's celebrations known as All Saints Day celebrated at Midnight November 1 followed by All Souls Day on November 2. This blending of two religions would eventually lead to what today is called El Dia De Los Muertos (the Day of the Dead).
The tradition of venerating our past ancestors while celebrating Life continues today in the form of the Dia de Los Muertos celebrations throughout many part of the World. For some traditional families, the preparation can actually begin several months before as they prepare their designs for everything from their costumes for the event to hand made art and decorations. On the days before some families will visit and clean the resting places of their deceased loved ones. Many will then set up Ofrendas (altars with offerings) with pictures, remembrances, flowers, decorations, food and drink. Traditional families observe the eve before, known as All Hallows eve, which is known throughout the World as Halloween. At midnight November 1 the "Angelitos" (little angels), souls of any children who have died, are welomed with flowers, toys, and candies. Many of the toys and candies are in the form of skeletons and "sugar" skulls. On November 2, the rest of the souls are celebrated and venerated as well.
Do You Guys Want Pictures of Today's Celebration?? If so, then I will go to today's event. Please let me know. Thanks.
Full $teem Ahead!
My Top Blogs
- Coral Castle & Its Mystery of Love
- The Spirit Molecule - DMT
Signature Logo Created by @czar
if you need one, he is steem dollars reasonable!
** All Pictures taken by me
Resources:
wikipedia.org
wikimedia.org
http://www.art-is-fun.com/dia-de-los-muertos-history/
http://www.cultureandreligion.com/
http://www.e-tlaxcala.mx/nota/2013-10-30/tlaxcala/el-culto-los-muertos-en-tlaxcala-todos-son-santos
http://www.encyclopedia.com/sports-and-everyday-life/days-and-holidays/days-months-holidays-and-festivals/day-dead
http://www.art-is-fun.com/mexican-sugar-skull/
http://atheism.about.com/od/aztecgodsgoddesses/p/Mictecacihuatl.htm
https://www.elpensante.com/misterios-en-el-dia-de-los-muertos-casos-emblematicos-de-la-fiesta-mexicana/
http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/support/dodhistory.html
I find it fascinating that so many different religions have similar celebrations at the same of year. Some are to be completely understood - longest and shortest days, of course. But this kind of celebration makes one wonder if people travelled further than first believed and passed their beliefs on to other societies.
Thank you for posting :)
@michelle.gent I was thinking the exact same thing as I was writing this. It reminded me of the Greek God Zeus and the Underworld God Hades.
and thank you for supporting.
full $teem ahead!
"Do You Guys Want Pictures of Today's Celebration??" Of course!!!
@olivera-despina Just making sure. Thank you for your support. I will sleep some hours and then I will go and get more pictures. Today is a bigger event so hopefully there are more interesting characters, although today's procession was very touching.
Again Thank you,
Full $teem Ahead!