MEXICO: BEAUTIFUL & BELOVED

Copal, fruits and Cempazuchitl are fragrances that show our loved ones the way on a journey to the earthly world according to pre-Hispanic traditions.  A celebration that has been declared Intangible Heritage of humanity by UNESCO since 2003, however its history goes back centuries with its origins in various cultures such as Mexica, Maya, Purépecha and Totonaca.

 "The Altars";  An essential part of the Day of the Dead, they are offerings in honor of the deceased in which each element of the altar is a symbol that represents the connection between life and death.

Levels: Altars are made on levels that represent the worldview that exists in each region, symbolizing the different "worlds" or "steps" that must be crossed to reach spiritual rest.

Aromas: These symbolize the purification of the soul and an element capable of guiding souls to their offerings.  Copal, incense, thyme, bay leaf among others are the main ones used.

Arch: Placed above the highest level of either palms or flowers, it symbolizes the entrance to the world of the dead.

Papel Picado: Originally the Aztecs used paper amate in which they painted different deities and it was the representation of the wind.  From the colonization the paper became popular and the designs that we currently see are thanks to the caricatures of José Guadalupe Posada.

Candles: They are the representation of the fire that illuminates the path that the dead will follow on their way back to the earthly world.

Glasses of Water: Water is used to quench the thirst of the spirit.  Although the Mayans for example considered that the cenotes were the entrance to the underworld so the vessels filled with water can also be the representation of the cenotes.

Seeds or fruits: They represent the earth, which comes from the fusion of traditions in religions.  This particular symbol comes very hand in hand with the Catholic religion by symbolizing that we all come from the earth and return to it.

Flowers: An ornament that, in addition to guiding the path, leads with its aroma to meet the altars and pantheons.

The Cempazuchitl or Zenpasuchitl flower is traditionally known as the flower of the dead, but technically it corresponds to the name of calendula, a Mexican wonder of a beautiful yellow or orange color.

Cempazuchitl blooms after the rains, which is why it has traditionally been used to adorn altars and tombs on the Day of the Dead, which is commemorated on November 2 of each year.  The flowers are part of the offerings that are placed at the foot of the graves of the deceased.  its color is yellow and denotes the strength of sunlight.

Sugar Skulls: Regularly named after the deceased dating back to the Mesoamerican tradition of preserving skulls won in battle and displaying them as trophies.

Personal belongings: Food, drink, decorations and personal belongings of the deceased, Inevitable is a photo (or several) of those who are no longer in this world.  In many cases, music is also used as a way to please the tastes of those who have already left and to whom we pay tribute.  We must not forget that it is a night of celebration, a night in which we can return to be with our loved ones enjoying the festival and offering their souls what they most enjoyed in this life.

In many regions of the country these celebrations are held in the pantheons and it is said that the next day the food and drinks of the offering lose their flavor because the souls of the deceased have already taken them away.

In this country full of traditions "Death" has been a symbol of various beliefs and a series of rites, legends and traditions have even been developed to honor, scare and even make fun of it.  Do not be surprised if a good friend or acquaintance gives you a «sugar skull» with your name written on the forehead, because not only do they adorn and remember our loved ones on the altars of the dead but are also a way to delight the palate and keep tradition alive.

Among the curiosities of this celebration are also the "skulls", which are humorous rhymes that are performed in honor of people still alive, emphasizing characteristics of the person in question.  They are regularly stanzas of four lines and make consonance;  of course without forgetting to mention "the huesuda". 

Yes… My Mexico… Beautiful & Beloved.