What is the Day of the Dead? It is a holiday typically celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, but sometimes other dates such as October 31st or November 6th are included. On these dates, the holiday is generally celebrated by families that gather to pay respects, honor, and remember those who were close to them but have now passed. These days are dedicated to prayers and remembrance of passed friends and family. Usually, as tradition, a home altar is created. These structures are decorated with love and include gifts and offerings for the deceased. The offerings are intended to guide the spirits of the loved ones back to the midst of the living during the holiday, as well as things like candles, special foods, and decorations. Inside the altar, families can make an ofrenda that includes something from all 4 elements: water, wind, earth, and fire—the Day of the Dead originated in Mexico and Central America. Flowers, butterflies, and skulls are a few common symbols used in this celebration of life holiday. Day of the Dead is a holiday in which families and friends gather not to mourn someone’s death but to celebrate their spirits. Decorating and filling their homes with things that bring memories and happiness during this time.
What is Halloween? It is a holiday celebrated on October 31st. The holiday originated around the 3rd century from ancient traditions of lighting bonfires and scaring off ghosts. This festival can be known as the ancient Celtic Festival of Samhain. Celebrations today include trick-or-treating, costume parties, carving and displaying jack-o-lanterns, lighting bonfires, visiting haunted attractions, and many more activities that families have adopted today. During World War II, it wasn’t common to trick or treat for candy due to sugar suppression. Tradition was to instead give out what you had, such as fruits and nuts. Pumpkins were also not always a main attraction as jack-o-lanterns were originally carved out of beets or potatoes. The fruitful pumpkins were brought to the States later and became a tradition. Some common symbols used to represent this day are black cats, bats, skulls, pumpkins, and ghosts. Overall, Halloween is a time for adults and children to direct spooky energy to a fun, creative, and festive holiday that’s filled with history allowing scary to be fun, and create memories and traditions for future generations. It is also a day for neighborhoods to come together.
The holidays are very different in their origins, meanings, and celebrations. But, they both acknowledge death and help people to honor those loved ones who have passed. The celebrations are both done through fun and decorative food and drink celebrations. The holidays are both meant to celebrate with family and friends. The theme during these two times is centered around the afterlife and death, represented by skulls, spooky things, food, costumes, dead people or spirits, and the welcoming of the dead. The big difference between these two occurrences is that Halloween is more centered around costumes and candy, however, the Day of the Dead is centered around the spiritual realm and honoring the deceased.
