I admit it. I didn’t know much about Dia de los Muertos despite being Latina and living in Texas most of my life. Being Cuban and Colombian, my culture doesn’t celebrate Dia de los Muertos, which is held Nov. 1 and 2.

Dia de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a holiday largely celebrated in Mexico. It celebrates the lives of those who have passed on by honoring them through offerings, known in Spanish as ofrendas, placed upon an altar that contains photos, the departed’s favorite drinks and food and decorated with bright flowers, usually marigolds.

Since I grew up in Houston around a largely Mexican and Mexican-American population, I felt it was time to dive deeper into this rich cultural tradition.  

There’s a lot out there about Dia de los Muertos, but here are a few surprising things you may not know: 

It’s NOT Mexican Halloween

Let’s just get this one out of the way. Despite being held around the same time as Halloween, Dia de los Muertos isn’t a Latino version of the holiday. It’s actually a joyous celebration of a person’s life. In fact, death isn’t seen as a sad event. It’s seen as a welcomed part of life.

It’s not just a Mexican holiday

This one surprised me. Many cultures have their own version of Day of the Dead. Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala and Peru, to name a few, all have their version of the holiday on the same date and with similar rituals. And while we’re at it, it’s not just one day as the name implies. It’s actually held over two days, sometimes three.

Marigolds aren’t just for decoration

The use of vibrant marigold flowers are meant to guide the souls of those who departed from their burial place to their family homes. Other ways to bring departed souls back include candles, food and objects that the dead liked when they were above ground.

Children are honored Nov. 1

Nov. 1, known as Dia de los Angelitos, is dedicated to honor children and infants who have passed away. The idea is that children are eager to get back to celebrate with their families, so they hold their celebrations first thing.

UNESCO recognized Dia de los Muertos in 2008

Despite it being a holiday for roughly 3,000 years, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization proclaimed Dia de los Muertos as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2003, and officially inscribed it in 2008. UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity acknowledges cultural heritage traditions and artifacts.

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5 things you may not know about Dia de los Muertos

by Giselle Rodriguez Greenwood, Houston Landing
November 1, 2023

<h1>5 things you may not know about Dia de los Muertos</h1> <p class="byline">by Giselle Rodriguez Greenwood, Houston Landing <br />November 1, 2023</p> <p>I admit it. I didn’t know much about Dia de los Muertos despite being Latina and living in Texas most of my life. Being Cuban and Colombian, my culture doesn’t celebrate Dia de los Muertos, which is held Nov. 1 and 2.</p> <div class="wp-block-group alignright is-style-border rounded key-facts has-white-color has-dark-green-background-color has-text-color has-background"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-questions-answered">Your questions, answered</h2> <ul> <li><a href="#h-it-s-not-mexican-halloween">What is Day of the Dead</a>?</li> <li><a href="#h-it-s-not-just-a-mexican-holiday">What countries celebrate it</a>?</li> <li><a href="#h-marigolds-aren-t-just-for-decoration">What's the significance of Marigolds</a>?</li> <li><a href="#h-children-are-honored-nov-1">What is Dia de los Angelitos</a>?</li> <li><a href="#h-unesco-recognized-dia-de-los-muertos-in-2008">When did UNESCO officially recognize it</a>?</li> </ul></div> <p>Dia de los Muertos, <a href="https://dayofthedead.holiday/history/">also known as Day of the Dead</a>, is a holiday largely celebrated in Mexico. It celebrates the lives of those who have passed on by honoring them through offerings, known in Spanish as <em>ofrendas</em>, placed upon an altar that contains photos, the departed’s favorite drinks and food and decorated with bright flowers, usually marigolds.</p> <p>Since I grew up in Houston around a largely Mexican and Mexican-American population, I felt it was time to dive deeper into this rich cultural tradition.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>There’s a lot out there about Dia de los Muertos, but here are a few surprising things you may not know:&nbsp;</p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter" data-effect="slide"> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container"> <ul class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper"> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="Members of Ballet Folklorico Herencia Mexicana de Houston pose for festival attendees after their performance, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston." class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-16708" data-id="16708" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20231028_Dia-De-Los-Muertos_JR_17.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Members of Ballet Folklorico Herencia Mexicana de Houston pose for festival attendees after their performance, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston. Herencia has performed at this festival for multiple years. (Joe Robles IV for Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="Members of Ballet Folklorico Herencia Mexicana de Houston perform for residents attending the Dia de los Muertos festival at Hidalgo Park, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston. " class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-16705" data-id="16705" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20231028_Dia-De-Los-Muertos_JR_14.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Members of Ballet Folklorico Herencia Mexicana de Houston perform for residents attending the Dia de los Muertos festival at Hidalgo Park, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston. (Joe Robles IV for Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="Tijerina Elementary students ride on a trailer in the Dia de los Muertos parade, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston." class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-16697" data-id="16697" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20231028_Dia-De-Los-Muertos_JR_2.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Tijerina Elementary students ride on a trailer in the Dia de los Muertos parade, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston. Students and their families showed lots of pride in their school throughout the parade. (Joe Robles IV for Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="Abigal Garcia stands near the road to watch the Dia de los Muertos parade, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston. Abigal’s father joked that his daughter looked “front page” worthy. " class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-16698" data-id="16698" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20231028_Dia-De-Los-Muertos_JR_3.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Abigal Garcia stands near the road to watch the Dia de los Muertos parade, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston. Abigal’s father joked that his daughter looked “front page” worthy. (Joe Robles IV for Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="Men and women stand on the Gabby’s Party Hall float during the Dia de los Muertos parade" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-16709" data-id="16709" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20231028_Dia-De-Los-Muertos_JR_18.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Men and women stand on the Gabby’s Party Hall float during the Dia de los Muertos parade, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston. Hundreds gathered to participate in the parade to Hidalgo Park before the festival began. (Joe Robles IV for Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="Judge Esmeralda Peña Garcia poses for a photo at Hidalgo Park before the Dia de los Muertos festival began, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston." class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-16699" data-id="16699" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20231028_Dia-De-Los-Muertos_JR_4.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Judge Esmeralda Peña Garcia poses for a photo at Hidalgo Park before the Dia de los Muertos festival began, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston. (Joe Robles IV for Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="Members of Ballet Folklorico Herencia Mexicana de Houston perform for residents attending the Dia de los Muertos festival at Hidalgo Park" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-16707" data-id="16707" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20231028_Dia-De-Los-Muertos_JR_16.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Members of Ballet Folklorico Herencia Mexicana de Houston perform for residents attending the Dia de los Muertos festival at Hidalgo Park, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston. (Joe Robles IV for Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="Students in the Milby High School marching band rest after participating in the Dia de los Muertos parade, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston." class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-16700" data-id="16700" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20231028_Dia-De-Los-Muertos_JR_5.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Students in the Milby High School marching band rest after participating in the Dia de los Muertos parade, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston. (Joe Robles IV for Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="Members of Ballet Folklorico Herencia Mexicana de Houston perform for residents attending the Dia de los Muertos festival at Hidalgo Park," class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-16704" data-id="16704" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20231028_Dia-De-Los-Muertos_JR_13.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Members of Ballet Folklorico Herencia Mexicana de Houston perform for residents attending the Dia de los Muertos festival at Hidalgo Park, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston. (Joe Robles IV for Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="John Segovia stands with one of his paintings in the gazebo at Hidalgo Park, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston. Segovia was the featured artist for the Dia de los Muertos festival this year." class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-16702" data-id="16702" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20231028_Dia-De-Los-Muertos_JR_11.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">John Segovia stands with one of his paintings in the gazebo at Hidalgo Park, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston. Segovia was the featured artist for the Dia de los Muertos festival this year. (Joe Robles IV for Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="Members of Mamacitas and Homies wait on their bikes for the parade to begin Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston. Hundreds gathered to participate in the parade to Hidalgo Park before the festival began. " class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-16710" data-id="16710" src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20231028_Dia-De-Los-Muertos_JR_19.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Members of Mamacitas and Homies wait on their bikes for the parade to begin Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston. Hundreds gathered to participate in the parade to Hidalgo Park before the festival began. (Joe Robles IV for Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> </li> </ul> <p><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a aria-label="Pause Slideshow" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause" role="button"></a></p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white"></div> </div> </div> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-not-mexican-halloween"><strong>It’s NOT Mexican Halloween</strong></h3> <p>Let’s just get this one out of the way. Despite being held around the same time as Halloween, Dia de los Muertos isn’t a Latino version of the holiday. It’s actually a joyous celebration of a person’s life. In fact, death isn’t seen as a sad event. It’s seen as a welcomed part of life.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-not-just-a-mexican-holiday"><strong>It’s not just a Mexican holiday</strong></h3> <p>This one surprised me. Many cultures have their own version of Day of the Dead. Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala and Peru, to name a few, all have their version of the holiday on the same date and with similar rituals. And while we’re at it, it’s not just one day as the name implies. It’s actually held over two days, sometimes three.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-full"><img src="https://houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20231028_Dia-De-Los-Muertos_JR_10.jpg" alt="Children from the group Las Americas Ballet Folklorico perform for residents attending the Dia de los Muertos festival at Hidalgo Park, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston." class="wp-image-16701" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Children from the group Las Americas Ballet Folklorico perform for residents attending the Dia de los Muertos festival at Hidalgo Park, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Houston. (Joe Robles IV for Houston Landing)</figcaption></figure> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marigolds-aren-t-just-for-decoration"><strong>Marigolds aren’t just for decoration</strong></h3> <p>The use of vibrant marigold flowers are meant to guide the souls of those who departed from their burial place to their family homes. Other ways to bring departed souls back include candles, food and objects that the dead liked when they were above ground.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-children-are-honored-nov-1"><strong>Children are honored Nov. 1</strong></h3> <p>Nov. 1, known as Dia de los Angelitos, <a href="https://www.gob.mx/epn/articulos/1-de-noviembre-inicio-de-las-celebraciones-del-dia-de-muertos">is dedicated to honor children and infants</a> who have passed away. The idea is that children are eager to get back to celebrate with their families, so they hold their celebrations first thing.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unesco-recognized-dia-de-los-muertos-in-2008"><strong>UNESCO recognized Dia de los Muertos in 2008</strong></h3> <p>Despite it being a holiday for roughly 3,000 years, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization proclaimed Dia de los Muertos as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2003, and officially inscribed it in 2008. UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity acknowledges cultural heritage traditions and artifacts.</p> <p>This <a target="_blank" href="https://houstonlanding.org/5-things-you-may-not-know-about-dia-de-los-muertos/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://houstonlanding.org">Houston Landing</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://i0.wp.com/houstonlanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/cropped-Frame-5-2.png?fit=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;"><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://houstonlanding.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=16827&amp;ga4=G-4E41V78RX3" style="width:1px;height:1px;"></p> Copy to Clipboard

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