muertos

Muertos, Spanish for "the dead," is often used to refer to Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a multi-day Mexican holiday that honors deceased relatives and friends. The celebrations typically begin on October 31 and culminate on November 2, aligning with the Catholic observances of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

The holiday blends pre-Columbian traditions with Catholic practices introduced during Spanish colonization in the 16th century. It emphasizes welcoming the spirits of the dead back to the realm of the living and celebrating their memory through food, music, and communal rites, rather than mourning alone.

A central feature is the ofrenda, an offering table or altar decorated with photographs, candles, marigolds (cempasúchil), incense, and foods the departed enjoyed, such as fruit, pan de muerto, and atole. Sugar skulls (calaveras de azúcar), papel picado banners, and decorative calacas and calaveras are common motifs. Families visit cemeteries to clean graves and share meals, viewing death as a natural part of life and memory.

Today Día de los Muertos is celebrated throughout Mexico and among Mexican and Latin American communities abroad. It has gained international visibility through art, media, and tourism, but practices vary by region. The holiday is generally seen as a joyful remembrance that honors the dead and keeps memory alive across generations.