Mexican Day of the Dead

The first thing that did stand out at me when i looked back at the previous work i had done for AS level was the section on the mexican day of the dead. Maybe because it is a vast contrast to what people think of when they think of death. The people who celebrate have been given the nickname of the 'cult of the dead.' The day of the dead is celebrated every year on ALL SOULS DAY which is celebrated on november second, this is also a celebrated christian holiday, however in latin america and mexico the festival is much more... well festive. The idea is that we celebrate death because it is just a passing from one life to another life, rather then an end.  And there is beliefs that communication between the dead and the living on different levels.  the Indigenous people believed that souls did not die, that they continued living in 'Mictlan', a special place to rest. In this place, the spirits rest until the day they could return to their homes to visit their relatives.
On november 1st the spirits of children and babies are honoured, while adults are honoured on the 2nd. The main difference is that the 1st, children are celebrated by white flowers and specially decorated alters, However on the second honor the loved ones by offering them an ofrenda, the fragrance of the flowers, the light of the candles, the aroma of special foods and the solemnity of prayers.  Mainly of bright and vivid colours.
Its also a time to joke about death! i know it sounds weird because it is such a strange subject to be joking about. People give friends edible skulls with there name on so they can 'eat there own death' 

the main symobolism i can find in the day of the dead celebrations are:

• Skulls- from toys to candy
• candles- lighting the way of the spirits of there loved ones to there family
• brightly coloured flowers
• brightly coloured clothes, costumes and decorations
• imagergy of skeletons in everyday positions
• alters that include: The altar includes four main elements of nature — earth, wind, water, and fire. Earth is represented by crop: The Mexicans believe the souls are fed by the aroma of food.Wind is represented by a moving object: Tissue paper is commonly used to represent wind.Water is placed in a container for the soul to quench its thirst after the long journey to the altar.Fire is represented by a wax candle: Each lit candle represents a soul, and an extra one is placed for the forgotten soul.
  
• Food and offerings.