Dia de los Muertos, a celebration for the Dead

A tradition celebrated in Mexican culture, the dead of the dead lasts a couple days and starts on November 1st and runs into November 2nd. The holiday occurs around the same time as All Souls Day and Halloween, and though many may find the reason for celebration morbid. The day of the Dead is actually an ancient tradition that has alot of meaning to Mexican people and their loved ones that have passed.

The whole purpose of the holiday is to celebrate the loves of the people who have died, celebrate their lives and recognize their death. It is also a symbol of eternal life after death, to celebrate their passing into the immortal world.

The Day of the Dead traditions can be traced all the way back to the Mayan and Aztec peoples when "it was common to keep skulls as trophies and display them during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth." However, on the Aztec calendar, the day of the dead started August 1st and lasted all month long.

The Mexican culture celebrates solely to rejoice that the soul is passing on to another life, the afterlife and rebirth through death. The holiday is celebrated in other Latin American countries and varied spots across the globe making it difficult to pinpoint all the traditions of this holiday.

In Mexico many families will prepare all year long for the festival, gathering food and other material items for their alter of worship. And sugar skulls are traditionally made, sometimes with chocolate and amaretto to add color and ornate design.

Living in Tucson, there is a Dia de Los Muertos Parade held on 4th avenue in honor of this holiday, for more information on Dia De Los Muertos celebration's around the world check out this link.