Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, All Saints' Day remember those who have passed on

Chad Murphy, Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read

Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, acknowledges the symbiotic relationship of life and death. All Saints' Day is dedicated to the saints of the church, who are in heaven. All Souls Day is set aside for those who have died, but have yet to attain heaven. All three are being marked on Nov. 1 and 2.

Yolanda Dozal stops for a portrait on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, during a Day of the Dead Celebration at Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City.
Yolanda Dozal stops for a portrait on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, during a Day of the Dead Celebration at Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City.

What is Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead?

The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday, also marked in some areas of the United States, held on Nov. 1 and 2. During those two days, the spirits are believed to return home and spend time with their relatives.

To welcome them, families build altars, or ofrendas, in their honor. These altars often include yellow marigolds, candles, photos of the deceased, cut tissue-paper designs, as well as food and beverages offerings, though these can vary from culture to culture.

Skulls, or calaveras, are often used as decorations. Though these can be made of papier-mâché, clay, wood, metal, cut-out tissue paper, they are often made of sugar decorated with colored icing, flowers, or metallic colored foils.

People take part in the "Day of the Dead Parade" in Mexico City on October 29, 2022.
People take part in the "Day of the Dead Parade" in Mexico City on October 29, 2022.

Similarities and differences between Halloween and Dia de los Muertos

Both holidays are within days of each other, but they are not the same.

While both may be considered “spooky,” Halloween revolves around darkness, death, ghosts, witches, candy, and costumes. On the other hand, Day of the Dead is explicitly about the afterlife and remembrance.

Candles are lit during All Saints Day at the cemetery in Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. Candles illuminated tombstones in graveyards across Europe as people communed with the souls of the dead on Tuesday, observing one of the most sacred days in the Catholic calendar.
Candles are lit during All Saints Day at the cemetery in Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. Candles illuminated tombstones in graveyards across Europe as people communed with the souls of the dead on Tuesday, observing one of the most sacred days in the Catholic calendar.

What is All Saints' Day?

All Saints' Day is a holy day of the Catholic Church marked annually on Nov. 1. The day is dedicated to the saints of the church — all those who have attained heaven.

All Saints' Day is traced to Pope Boniface IV, who consecrated the Pantheon at Rome to the Virgin Mary and all the Martyrs in 609 AD. Boniface IV also established All Souls' Day, which follows All Saints.

The Catholic Church marks the day with a Mass. All Saints' Day is also commemorated by the Eastern Orthodox Church as well as some protestant churches, such as Lutheran and Anglican denominations.

What is All Souls Day?

All Souls Day is a holy day set aside for honoring the dead, primarily celebrated in the Catholic Church.

According to Catholic belief, the soul of a person who dies can go to one of three places, heaven, hell or purgatory. Purgatory is believed to be a place where souls can be cleansed and perfected before they enter into heaven. Catholics celebrate All Souls Day, praying for souls in purgatory to be purified.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, All Saints' Day honor the dead