Nov 2, 2012

UPDATE: 30 more images have been added from this year’s Day of the Dead celebrations from all over world.

In some households, November 1st is All Saints’ Day. In others, it’s the Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. Both focus on remembering those who have come before us but do so different ways. Where as All Saints’ Day is a Catholic tradition invoking a solemn and prayerful atmosphere, the Day of the Dead is a Mexican celebration filled with vibrant colors, decadent food and lively activities.

Flip through the images below and then read why the Day of the Dead is important to Lorenza Munoz and her family from the LA Times.

: Auto rickshaw taxis pass the Nueva Esperanza cemetery during Day of the Dead celebrations in Villa Maria, Lima November 1, 2012. Each year people visit the cemetery, one of Latin America’s largest, to honour the dead. (Enrique Castro-Mendivil/Reuters)

: A view of Nueva Esperanza cemetery during the Day of the Dead celebrations in Villa Maria, Lima November 1, 2012. (Enrique Castro-Mendivil/Reuters)

: People drink bottles of beer next to the graves at Nueva Esperanza cemetery during Day of the Dead celebrations in Villa Maria, Lima November 1, 2012. (Enrique Castro-Mendivil/Reuters)

: A cyclist with a ‘calavera,’ or skull, painted on her face participates in a Critical Mass Bike Ride across Lima to celebrate the Day of the Dead, November 1, 2012. Hundreds of cyclists ride through the city to promote cycling as an environmentally friendly mode of transportation. (Mariana Bazo/Reuters)

: Cyclists with a ‘Calavera,’ or skull, painted on their faces participate in a Critical Mass Bike Ride across Lima to celebrate the Day of the Dead, November 1, 2012. (Mariana Bazo/Reuters)

: A Pakistani father helps his son touch his relative’s grave in Gora Cemetery to mark All Souls Day, also known as the Day of the Dead, in Karachi November 2, 2012. (Athar Hussain/Reuters)

: A man prepares a paper balloon before raising during a competition as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Milpa Alta November 1, 2012. (Edgard Garrido/Reuters)

: A boy catches cotton candy during a competition of paper balloon as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Milpa Alta November 1, 2012. (Edgard Garrido/Reuters)

: Children dressed as ghosts take part in the Day of the Dead celebrations at a cemetery in Mixquic November 1, 2012. On the Day of the Dead, Mexicans pay homage to their dead relatives by preparing meals and decorating their graves. (Edgard Garrido/Reuters)

: A light post covered with cotton candy is seen during a paper balloon competition held as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Milpa Alta November 1, 2012. (Edgard Garrido/Reuters)

: A man stands near the grave of a relative at a cemetery in Mexico City November 2, 2012. Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead to pay homage to their dead relatives, preparing meals and decorating the graves as an offering. (Henry Romero/Reuters)

: A man prepares a paper balloon before a competition as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Milpa Alta November 1, 2012. On the Day of the Dead, Mexicans pay homage to their dead relatives by preparing meals and decorating their graves. (Edgard Garrido/Reuters)

: Followers of La Santa Muerte (The Saint of Death) attend a praying of the rosary during the main celebration at a market in Tepito, widely regarded as a dangerous neighbourhood in Mexico City, November 1, 2012. According to the organiser of the celebration, the cult to ‘Saint Death’ in Mexico has thousands of followers who offer her lit cigarettes, glasses of tequila, apples and flowers to express their gratitude for miracles and favours accredited to the saint. (Henry Romero/Reuters)

: Men push to lift up a giant kite into the sky to celebrate the Day of the Dead at a cemetery in Santiago Sacatepequez, about 40 km (25 miles) from Guatemala City, November 1, 2012. It is a local belief and tradition of Santiago Sacatepequez for people to craft and lift giants kites to the sky during Day of the Dead at their local cemetery to maintain communication between the living and the dead. (William Gularte/Reuters)

: Men lift up a giant kite into the sky to celebrate the Day of the Dead at a cemetery in Santiago Sacatepequez, about 40 km (25 miles) from Guatemala City, November 1, 2012. (William Gularte/Reuters)

: A man releases a paper balloon during a competition as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Milpa Alta November 1, 2012. (Edgard Garrido/Reuters)

: People dressed in traditional clothes watch an annual horse race commemorating the Day of the Dead on All Saints Day, at the village of Todos Los Santos Cuchumatan in the Huehuetenango region, 310 km (192 miles) west of Guatemala City, November 1, 2012. According to local media the annual horse race, where participants dress in traditional clothing and drink beforehand, is organized by riders from the region. (Jorge Dan Lopez/Reuters)

: A man wearing traditional clothing smokes as people watch an annual horse race commemorating the Day of the Dead on All Saints Day, at the village of Todos Los Santos Cuchumatan in the Huehuetenango region, 310 km (192 miles) west of Guatemala City, November 1, 2012. According to local media the annual horse race, where participants dress in traditional clothing and drink beforehand, is organized by riders from the region. (Jorge Dan Lopez/Reuters)

: A couple dressed in costumes rides a motorbike during the ‘Moto Halloween Party 2012’ in Cali November 1, 2012. (Jaime Saldarriaga/Reuters)

: A couple, dressed in a bride and groom costume, participates in the ‘Moto Halloween Party 2012’ in Cali November 1, 2012. Every year, motorcycling enthusiasts dress up in outfits and ride around Cali to celebrate Halloween. (Jaime Saldarriaga/Reuters)

: A woman prays after lighting candles in memory of her loved ones as she commemorates the Day of the Dead in Rio de Janeiro November 2, 2012. (Ricardo Moraes/Reuters)

: Tombs are pictured behind the fire of candles lighted by the faithful in memory of their loved ones as they commemorate the Day of the Dead in Rio de Janeiro November 2, 2012. (Ricardo Moraes/Reuters)

: An Indian Christian woman offers prayers at a relative’s tomb during All Souls Day in Kolkata on November 2, 2012. (Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images)

: A man dressed as a clown stands between graves during the Day of the Dead celebrations at a cemetery in Mixquic November 1, 2012. (Edgard Garrido/Reuters)

: Young revelers take part in a parade called ‘La Calabiuza’ on November 1, 2012, on the eve of the Day of the Dead in Tonacatepeque, 20 kms (13 miles) north of San Salvador. (Jose Cabezas/AFP/Getty Images)

: Young revelers get ready to take part in a parade called ‘La Calabiuza’ on November 1, 2012, on the eve of the Day of the Dead in Tonacatepeque, 20 kms (13 miles) north of San Salvador. (Jose Cabezas/AFP/Getty Images)

: A young reveler gets ready to take part in a parade called ‘La Calabiuza’ on November 1, 2012, on the eve of the Day of the Dead in Tonacatepeque, 20 kms (13 miles) north of San Salvador. (Jose Cabezas/AFP/Getty Images)

: A young reveler waits to take part in a parade called ‘La Calabiuza’ on November 1, 2012, on the eve of the Day of the Dead in Tonacatepeque, 20 kms (13 miles) north of San Salvador. (Jose Cabezas/AFP/Getty Images)

: Young revelers get ready to take part in a parade called ‘La Calabiuza’ on November 1, 2012, on the eve of the Day of the Dead in Tonacatepeque, 20 kms (13 miles) north of San Salvador. (Jose Cabezas/AFP/Getty Images)

: A young reveler gets ready to take part in a parade called ‘La Calabiuza’ on November 1, 2012, on the eve of the Day of the Dead in Tonacatepeque, 20 kms (13 miles) north of San Salvador. During the celebration, the residents of Tonacatepeque, originally an indigeneus community, recall the characters of the mythology of Cuscatlan –pre-Columbian west and central regions of El Salvador– and their dead relatives. (Jose Cabezas/AFP/Getty Images

: A woman lights a candle on a grave at a cemetery in Oaxaca November 1, 2010. Mexicans are celebrating the Day of the Dead paying homage to their dead relatives by preparing meals and decorating their graves. The Day of the Dead festival has its origins in a pre-Hispanic Aztec belief that the dead return to Earth one day each year to visit their loved ones. (Jorge Luis Plata/Reuters)

: A fine arts student wears make-up during the Catrina’s parade in Guadalajara October 26, 2012. Students of fine arts took part in their Catrina’s parade as part of the celebrations for the Day of the Dead, local media reported. La Catrina, a popular figure in Mexico known as ‘The Elegant Skull.’ (Alejandro Acosta/Reuters)

: View of an Altar for the Dead to the Huichol tribe, set up at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City on October 30, 2012, during preparations on the eve of the Day of the Dead celebrations. (Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images

: Fine arts students wearing make-up and costumes walk over a Catrina chalk drawing in Guadalajara October 26, 2012. (Alejandro Acosta/Reuters)

: A worker harvests Cempasuchil marigolds for use during Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations, in San Pedro Cholula October 29, 2012. The Cempasuchil flower, also known as the Flower of the Dead, is traditionally used on altars in honour of the deceased and to decorate graves on the Day of the Dead observance which begins November 1 and ends on November 2. The Popocatepetl volcano is seen at rear. (Imelda Medina/Reuters)

: A fine arts student wears make-up as he talks on the phone during the Catrina’s parade in Guadalajara October 26, 2012. (Alejandro Acosta/Reuters)

: Items for Mexico’s traditional Day of the Dead are for sale in Olverita’s Village in Olvera Street in Los Angeles, California. (Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles)

: Students with their faces painted as skulls take part in a traditional parade called ‘Paseo de las Animas,’ or Parade of Souls, in the Mexican city of Merida October 26, 2012. (Francisco Martin/Reuters)

: An art installation of skeletons at an altar assembled by artists for Day of the Dead celebrations at the National Autonoma University of Mexico is pictured in Mexico City October 31, 2012. (Henry Romero/Reuters)

: A student with his face painted as a skull takes part in a traditional parade called ‘Paseo de las Animas,’ or Parade of Souls, in the Mexican city of Merida October 26, 2012. (Francisco Martin/Reuters)

: A man puts flowers on the lid of a wall tomb at the General Cemetery in San Salvador, El Salvador, on the Day of the Dead on November 2, 2010. (Jose Cabezas/ AFP/Getty Images)

: A man rides a tricycle carrying a replica human skeleton during a night cycling event in downtown Mexico City October 27, 2012. Several streets were closed to traffic as hundreds of people took part in the ‘Night of the Dead’ night cycling event organised by the city’s authorities as part of celebrations for the Day of the Dead, according to local media. (Henry Romero/Reuters)

: People in skull masks walk near an altar assembled in homage of people who died of diabetes and obesity in Mexico City, during a demonstration in front of the Mexican Ministry of Health in Mexico City October 31, 2012. The walk was part of the Day of the Dead, which is celebrated on November 1 in Mexico. (Henry Romero/Reuters)

: A woman adorns the tomb of her parents with bread at Villa Ingenio cemetery in El Alto, 25 km from La Paz, as Christians in Latin America mark the Day of the Dead on November 2, 2009. (Aizar Raldes/AFP/Getty Images)

: People in skull masks walk near an altar assembled in homage of people who died of diabetes and obesity in Mexico City, during a demonstration in front of the Mexican Ministry of Health in Mexico City October 31, 2012. The walk was part of the Day of the Dead, which is celebrated on November 1 in Mexico. (Henry Romero/Reuters)

: Visitors look at an art installation of skulls at an altar assembled by artists for Day of the Dead celebrations at the National Autonoma University of Mexico in Mexico City October 31, 2012. (Henry Romero/Reuters)

: Candied Pumpkin is one of the special Day of the Dead special dishes. (Renee Brock/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/MCT)

: Niches with crosses and candles to celebrate the Day of the Dead are seen on the road to Todos Santos, in the Huehuetenago region, some 280 km (190 miles) west of Guatemala City November 1, 2012. (Jorge Dan Lopez/Reuters)

: Mexican traditional sugar ‘Calaveritas’ (Little Skulls) are displayed at the Jamaica market in Mexico City, on October 31, 2012, as Mexicans prepare to celebrate the traditional Day of the Dead. (Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images)

: A skeleton figure is displayed at the Jamaica market in Mexico City, on October 31, 2012, as Mexicans prepare to celebrate the traditional Day of the Dead. (Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images)

: A peasant harvests marigold flowers with the Popoctepetl volcano in tne background, in the fields surrounding Cholula, Puebla state, Mexico, on October 27, 2012. Marigold flowers are used in Mexico to decorate altars during the Day of the Dead, since they are believed to guide the souls. (Jose Castanares/AFP/Getty

: Items for Mexico’s traditional Day of the Dead are for sale in Olverita’s Village in Olvera Street in Los Angeles, California. (Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles)

: Items for Mexico’s traditional Day of the Dead are for sale in Olverita’s Village in Olvera Street in Los Angeles, California. (Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles)

: A man sells flowers at the Jamaica market in Mexico City, on October 31, 2012, as Mexicans prepare to celebrate the traditional Day of the Dead. (Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images)

: Bone Garden Cantina is a colorful Westside Mexican restaurant and bar with artwork inspired by Dia de los Muertos. (Renee Brock/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/MCT)

: Sugar skulls await to be decorated at the Bone Garden cantina. (Renee Brock/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/MCT)

: A follower of Voodoo participates in Day of the Dead celebrations which are held in conjunction with the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2) at the National Cemetery in Port-au-Prince November 2, 2010 in Port au Prince, Haiti. The two days make up one of the most important Voodoo holidays in the country and are of particular importance this year following the death of an estimated 230,000 people in the January 12 earthquake. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

: Mexican students at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City on October 30, 2012, during preparations on the eve of the Day of the Dead celebrations. (Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images)

: Children attending the kindergarten of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), visit the Altars of the Dead set at the grounds of the UNAM in Mexico City on October 30, 2009. Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead on November 1 and 2 in connection with the Catholic holy days of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Tradition includes building altars honouring their deceased relatives and this year, the UNAM dedicated the altars to US writer Edgar Allan Poe. (Omar Torres/AFP/Getty Images)

: Small skeleton figures are displayed at the Jamaica market in Mexico City, on October 31, 2012, as Mexicans prepare to celebrate the traditional Day of the Dead. (Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images)

: Young men with their faces painted, representing death, partake in day of the dead celebrations at the Zocalo square in Mexico City, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2005. Mexicans honor their deceased loved ones on Nov. 1 and 2. (Marco Ugarte/AP Photo)

: An offering to the death made with Day of the Dead bread is displayed 01 November, 2006 at the Mexico City’s Zocalo (main square) in the framework of the Day of the Dead celebrations. (Omar Torres/AFP/Getty Images)

: A woman dressed up as the death poses on October 31, 2012 in Mexico city, during preparations on the eve of the Day of the Dead celebrations. (Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images)

: A woman in dressed up as the death poses with an Altar for the Dead in the background on October 31, 2012 in Mexico city, during preparations on the eve of the Day of the Dead celebrations. (Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images)

: A person shows a traditional paper with openwork design to be put on altars at the Jamaica market in Mexico City, on October 31, 2012, as Mexicans prepare to celebrate the Day of the Dead. (Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images)

: View of skulls on an altar set up at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City on October 30, 2012, during preparations on the eve of the Day of the Dead celebrations. (Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images)

: A student walks in front of an Altar of the Dead to the Huichol tribe, at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City on October 30, 2012, during preparations on the eve of the Day of the Dead celebrations. (Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images)

: View of an altar set up at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City on October 30, 2012, during preparations on the eve of the Day of the Dead celebrations. (Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images)

: Mexican students at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City on October 30, 2012, during preparations on the eve of the Day of the Dead celebrations. Tradition includes building altars honouring their deceased relatives and this year, the UNAM dedicated it to Mexico’s indigenous peoples. (Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images)

: Gabriela Quintero and Rodrigo Sanchez of Rodrigo y Gabriela perform live at the opening of Wahaca Presents Day of the Dead at the Old Vic Tunnels on October 31, 2012 in London, England. The four day cultural festival celebrates Mexican food, art, music and film and was co-produced by NOMAD and The Embassy of Mexico. (Samir Hussein/Getty Images for The Old Vic)

Day of the Dead: Giving death its due
The holiday is not at all somber; it is raucous and defiant, loud and garish.

By Lorenza Munoz | LA Times
October 31, 2012

I didn’t plan to set up our annual Day of the Dead altar this year — too much work, I thought. That is, until my daughter called me on it.

When I arranged a few pumpkins near the front door, she asked expectantly, “When will you put up the dead relatives?”

Perhaps “putting up dead relatives” sounds a bit morbid. Perhaps the dancing calacas and catarinas (male and female skeletons, smiling and dressed up in their best outfits) that are a prerequisite for the holiday give the afterlife an unaccustomed vibrancy. One could be forgiven for thinking the Day of the Dead is wacky and a little creepy.

The Mexican way of celebrating All Saints Day, Nov. 1, is not at all somber. It does not carry the quiet reflection of other cultures that contemplate the death of loved ones. It is raucous and defiant, observed by drinking tequila, eating mole and tamales, gorging on sugar skulls and pan de muertos. It is loud and garish, colored bright orange, pink and cobalt blue.

Read More.

3 Comments

alicia melton
Nov 02, 2012 @ 10:25:54

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS is a well known day that is celebrated for love ones that are gone. I have to admit some of the pictures are a bit creepy but also very cool. I love how there are so many people that are loved out there that their families worship them with offerings and celebrate their lives. I hope DIA DE LOS MUERTOS would never be forgotten.

The holy dead - Hot Dogma!
Nov 02, 2012 @ 06:08:06

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Dia de los Muertos |
Nov 01, 2012 @ 13:53:27

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70 pictures for the Day of the Dead

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