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Da de los Muertos. Day of the Dead.

The Day of the Dead was celebrated in Mexico for over 3,000 years. The Aztecs used skulls to celebrate this holiday. The skull has very strong symbolism for Death, Life, and Rebirth. The skull honors those who have passed.

Today in Mexico, most people will go to the Graveyards to be with their loved ones who have passed. They will decorate the gravestones with Marigolds, and candles. Sometimes they will bring tequila to adult graves, and toys to child graves. Then they will sit by the grave and have a feast of their loved one's favorite meal.

Color is also very important in the Day of the Dead. If you are putting together an altar, or a costume, you can make it themed by the color palette. Red represents blood. Orange represents the Sun. Yellow (as seen on the Marigold ) represents death. Purple represents pain and grief on this day. Pink , along with White , represents hope, purity. Black represents the land of the dead. Purple, Orange, and Pink are most commonly used for altars.

Traditionally, sugar skulls are created to help honor and represent the dead. They are often black, and decorated in vibrant pinks, oranges, white, silvers, etc. Some of them are edible and can be made at home. A lot of them involov merigue powder, but some are basically sugar cubes painted with food coloring.

I will be celebrating the Day of the Dead this year for my Father. He had passed away about 2 years ago, So that is why I have made this post. i wanted to respect him and show him I love him. So I will be creating an altar to the Day of the Dead and to him.

I hoped this information helped.

~Hexen.

SOURCES:

http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/articles/dead-history.html
http://www.ehow.com/info_8584219_traditional-colors-day-dead.html