{"id":1810,"date":"2025-11-01T21:46:54","date_gmt":"2025-11-01T21:46:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.justnews24.info\/?p=1810"},"modified":"2025-11-01T21:46:54","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T21:46:54","slug":"dia-de-los-muertos-day-of-the-dead-is-here-heres-what-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.justnews24.info\/?p=1810","title":{"rendered":"Di\u0301a de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, is here. Here&#8217;s what to know."},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\">Di\u0301a de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, is here. Here&#8217;s what to know.<\/h1>\n<div class=\"gnt_ar_b\">\n<aside class=\"gnt_em gnt_em__fp gnt_em_vp__tp gnt_em__el\" aria-label=\"Video - Understanding Mexico\u2019s Day of the Dead\">\n<div class=\"gnt_em_vp_w\" data-g-r=\"vp_tp\" data-c-vt=\"exco\" data-c-vpa=\"pl=teal-hero&amp;nm=1&amp;exv=article_hero&amp;de&amp;plcmt=2&amp;cc=news\/world\/1&amp;iu=\/7103\/usatoday\/preroll_video\/&amp;cut\" data-c-vpd=\"{&quot;adsEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;awsPath&quot;:&quot;news&quot;,&quot;byline&quot;:&quot;Ryan Sloane&quot;,&quot;cd&quot;:1730248964153,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;length&quot;:80,&quot;headline&quot;:&quot;Understanding Mexico\u2019s Day of the Dead&quot;,&quot;hlsURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/hlsmedia.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/videos\/wochit\/renditions\/75572997007\/0b889c9f-8692-4944-878b-e1a678a837ee\/480p_30fps,720p_30fps,1080p_30fps,master.m3u8?subtitles=75572997007&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;75572997007&quot;,&quot;keywords&quot;:&quot;Newsat,Video Syndication - USAT,Evergreen Content,Video Syndication - OTT Platforms&quot;,&quot;mp4URL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/videos\/wochit\/renditions\/75572997007\/0b889c9f-8692-4944-878b-e1a678a837ee\/1080p_30fps.mp4&quot;,&quot;origin&quot;:&quot;Wochit&quot;,&quot;pageURL&quot;:{&quot;long&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/videos\/news\/2024\/10\/29\/understanding-mexicos-day-of-the-dead\/75572997007\/&quot;},&quot;promoBrief&quot;:&quot;Explore the rich history, iconic symbols, and heartfelt traditions of the Day of the Dead.&quot;,&quot;propertyName&quot;:&quot;USATODAY&quot;,&quot;series&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;ssts&quot;:{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;news&quot;,&quot;subsection&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;topic&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;subtopic&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Celebrate the vibrant iconography and culture of Dia de los Muertos&quot;,&quot;tna&quot;:[&quot;Newsat&quot;,&quot;Video Syndication - USAT&quot;,&quot;Evergreen Content&quot;,&quot;Video Syndication - OTT Platforms&quot;],&quot;videoStill&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/videos\/wochit\/thumbnails\/75572997007.jpg&quot;}\">\n<div class=\"gnt_em_vp_c\" data-g-s=\"vp_dk\">\n<div class=\"gnt_em_vp_c_pl__ec\">\n<div id=\"gnt_xp__1\" class=\"pbs\" data-player-id=\"#gnt_xp__1\" data-id=\"e82155d1-d994-44c9-b40a-050307d82ef7\" data-pbs-root=\"true\" data-pbs-position=\"static\" data-pbs-device=\"desktop\" data-pbs-video-title=\"true\" data-pbs-sticky=\"bottom-right\" data-pbs-size=\"small\" data-pbs-content=\"playing\" data-pbs-player=\"content\" data-pbs-hover=\"true\" data-pbs-slot=\"ended\" data-pbs-content-type=\"external-video\">\n<div id=\"exp_7c94eacc-e417-4628-b5b5-9647d4d00abe\" class=\"pbs__player shown\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"application\" aria-label=\"Video Player\">\n<div class=\"exp-ui\">\n<div class=\"exp-ui__wrapper falcon\">\n<div class=\"exp-ui__controls\">\n<div class=\"exp-ui__common-button exp-ui__pause-button\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"button\" aria-disabled=\"false\" aria-label=\"Pause\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<div class=\"dd-widget-wrapper dd-widget-upside-down\">\n<div class=\"dd-widget-input-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"dd-widget-input-field\">\n<div class=\"dd-widget-input-placeholder\">\n<div class=\"dd-widget-input-placeholder-content\">How does fear fascination relate to cultural rituals?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dd-widget-questions-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"dd-widget-questions\">\n<div class=\"dd-widget-question-container\">\n<p>What Halloween events occurred at the White House?<\/p>\n<div class=\"dd-widget-arrow-tag\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dd-widget-question-container\">\n<p>How does fear fascination relate to cultural rituals?<\/p>\n<div class=\"dd-widget-arrow-tag\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dd-widget-question-container\">\n<p>What safety concerns emerged before Halloween?<\/p>\n<div class=\"dd-widget-arrow-tag\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><a class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/graphics\/2024\/10\/28\/day-of-the-dead-dia-de-los-muertos-visual-guide\/75790458007\/\" data-t-l=\":b|e|k|\u2691u\">Di\u0301a de los Muertos<\/a>, or Day of the Dead, which happens this weekend, is celebrated in communities across the U.S. The primarily Mexican holiday is rooted in the belief that the veil between the mortal and immortal worlds thins, allowing deceased spirits to cross over to the living world to be with loved ones.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The holiday takes place over three days. Official celebrations usually begin on Nov. 1 and end on Nov. 2 and preparations and vigils start on Oct. 31, depending on where the holiday is being celebrated. Nov. 1 is known as Di\u0301a de los Angelitos, which honors the souls of deceased children, and Nov. 2 is Di\u0301a de los Muertos.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">As part of the holiday, which is rooted in indigenous culture, families will create a trail of marigold petals from their front doors to their altars to help guide spirits home.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_x__c gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-usatoday-native-article_link-news-world-4-ac1\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al gnt_x__prmt\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"llx\" data-google-query-id=\"CNjrv6z20ZADFfuhgwcdczsHWA\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/7103\/usatoday\/native-article_link\/news\/world_0__container__\" class=\"gnt_x__prmt\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Di\u0301a de los Muertos inspired the Disney\/Pixar film \u201cCoco&#8221; and tells the story of a young Mexican boy who travels to the land of the dead to find his music idol while his ancestors attempt to cross into the living world. Those who celebrate the holiday paint their faces to resemble skeletons and hold parades to honor the deceased.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">As the holiday approaches, here&#8217;s a primer on key elements of Di\u0301a de los Muertos<\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_t gnt_em_t__hb\" data-c-et=\"Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, honors the memory of departed loved ones\" aria-label=\"Day of the Dead, also known as the Dia de los Muertos, honors the memory of departed loved ones. Celebrations begin on Oct. 31 and finish on Nov. 2.\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_mt\">What are the origins of Di\u0301a de Los Muertos?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The holiday started 3,000 years ago as a ritual to honor the dead in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Tradition states that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on Oct. 31 and the spirits of children can rejoin their families for 24 hours while the spirits of adults are able to cross over on Nov. 2 to be with their loved ones, according to\u00a0<a class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\" href=\"http:\/\/history.com\/\" data-t-l=\":b|z|k|\u2691u\">History.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_x__c gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-usatoday-native-article_link-news-world-5-ac2\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al gnt_x__prmt\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"llx\" data-x-c=\"2\" data-google-query-id=\"CNmi_K_20ZADFd-JgwcdemgpaQ\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/7103\/usatoday\/native-article_link\/news\/world_1__container__\" class=\"gnt_x__prmt\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Indigenous traditions, including from the Aztecs and Nahua people in central Mexico, consider death as a constant part of life. After dying, a person was said to have traveled to the Land of the Dead, called Chicunamictla\u0301n. A person would need to spend several years scaling the land\u2019s levels to reach Mictla\u0301n, considered to be the final resting place.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">In traditional rituals, indigenous people offer departed spirits food and water to help them on their journey, which sparked the modern-day tradition of ofrendas, a special type of altar set up for the occasion.<\/p>\n<aside id=\"gnt_atomsnc\" class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_anc\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"loadAnc\" aria-label=\"Newsletter signup form\">\n<div class=\"label\" hidden=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"message\">\n<div class=\"title\">Get the\u00a0<span class=\"highlight\">Daily Briefing<\/span>\u00a0newsletter in your inbox.<\/div>\n<p class=\"description\">The day&#8217;s top stories, from sports to movies to politics to world events.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_mt\"><\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Marigolds are one of the holiday\u2019s most important symbols. Ofrendas and cemeteries are typically adorned with flowers, which are believed to guide the spirits back to the living world due to their vibrant colors and strong scent.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_x__c gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-usatoday-native-article_link-news-world-6-ac3\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"llx\" data-x-c=\"3\" data-google-query-id=\"COS5iLH20ZADFTChgwcd88oCfg\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/7103\/usatoday\/native-article_link\/news\/world_2__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Altars are traditionally decorated with pictures of departed relatives, their favorite foods, drinks and remnants of their lives, such as favorite items or symbols of their profession.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">People often dress up as skeletons on Day of the Dead to reflect on their own mortality and to treat death as a natural part of life.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Other important holiday symbols are calaveras de azu\u0301car, sugar skulls, pan de muerto, papel picado and &#8220;La Calavera Catrina,&#8221; a Mexican folk image created by the artist Jose\u0301 Guadalupe Posada to mock the European style during the early 20th century. &#8220;La Calavera Catrina&#8221; is an image of a female skeleton dressed in the fashion of that time.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\">\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"A woman dressed as La Catrina, an iconic figure of Mexico's Day of the Dead celebration, in the San Francisco Lowrider Parade September 20, 2025.\" data-c-credit=\"Rachel Bujalski, For USA TODAY\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Mexican cities often host parades to celebrate the holiday, featuring mascots dressed as skeletons. In the United States, Day of the Dead parades are held in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Antonio and Fort Lauderdale, among other cities.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_mt\">What do people eat on Day of the Dead?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Pan de muerto, a traditional sweet bread, decorated with dough shaped cross-bones, flavored with orange zest and topped with sugar, is often enjoyed on the holiday. Other foods and drinks often consumed include atole, a corn flour beverage, and dark chocolate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Di\u0301a de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, is here. Here&#8217;s what to know. How does fear fascination relate to<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1810","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false,"colormag-highlighted-post":false,"colormag-featured-post-medium":false,"colormag-featured-post-small":false,"colormag-featured-image":false,"colormag-default-news":false,"colormag-featured-image-large":false},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"admin","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/12938b275280a43554ec0f09b2f55a2756f50e6fd69b93e1e0172b75d6a79900?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":false,"magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"Di\u0301a de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, is here. Here&#8217;s what to know. How does fear fascination relate to","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["Uncategorized"],"magazineBlocksPostViewCount":109,"magazineBlocksPostReadTime":4,"magazine_blocks_featured_image_url":{"full":false,"medium":false,"thumbnail":false},"magazine_blocks_author":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/www.justnews24.info\/?author=1"},"magazine_blocks_comment":0,"magazine_blocks_author_image":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/12938b275280a43554ec0f09b2f55a2756f50e6fd69b93e1e0172b75d6a79900?s=96&d=mm&r=g","magazine_blocks_category":"<a href=\"#\" class=\"category-link category-link-1\">Uncategorized<\/a>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.justnews24.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1810","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.justnews24.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.justnews24.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.justnews24.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.justnews24.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1810"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.justnews24.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1810\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1812,"href":"https:\/\/www.justnews24.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1810\/revisions\/1812"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.justnews24.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1810"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.justnews24.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1810"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.justnews24.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1810"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}