The Ultimate Guide to Day of the Dead Traditions

The Disney movie Coco certainly brought more awareness to people outside of the U.S. about the Day of the Dead, but plenty of people are still left with questions after the movie. They see the delicious treats, beautiful altars, and vibrant marigolds in the movie, but they still don’t know the significance of many Day of the Dead traditions.

Before we get into the traditions, you should know that Day of the Dead is a festival that is a combination of traditions from indigenous Mexican people and the Spanish who brought Catholicism to the country. It’s a beautiful marriage of cultures that lasts today.

We’re here to explain some of the most common traditions and practices related to the Day of the Dead so that you can understand the depth and significance of this beautiful holiday.

Day of the Dead Altar or Ofrendas

One of the most important Day of the Dead traditions is the preparation of the Ofrenda or altar. These altars help the spirits of the deceased find their family members during the special day.
They are highly individualized and decorated with photographs of deceased family members, prized possessions, candles, flowers, and favorite foods. These altars are important even for people who don’t believe in spirits because they’re a great physical reminder about the people they have loved and lost:

Marigolds

Many ofrendas are decorated with marigold flowers. This tradition was carried from the time of the Aztecs. Today they are considered the official Day of the Dead flowers. They symbolize the fragility of life, and their vibrant color is thought to help guide spirits to the celebration. Marigolds (both real and fake) will decorate altars and street celebrations.

Special Food

What holiday would be complete without traditional foods? There are two main foods that people associate with the Day of the Dead, Sugar Skills, and Pan De Muerto… but it’s also common for people to celebrate by eating moles, tamales, and coffee:

Sugar Skulls

Sugar skulls or Calaveras also come from Aztec tradition. These skulls made of compressed sugar and water are decorated with foil, icing, beads, and ribbons. They are both delicious and beautiful and have become a recognizable emblem of the Day of the Dead.

Pan De Muerto

Pan de Muerto is a sweet bread that is traditional to eat on the Day of the Dead. Recipes vary by region, but the important part is that it is always offered to the deceased alongside their favorite foods from life. This is a once-a-year treat that holds a lot of meaning.

Day of the Dead Skull Makeup

The skulls aren’t only present in sugar on the Day of the Dead. You can see lots of vibrant and intricate skull makeup as well!

The character, La Catrina, protects the bones of the dead and is used to represent a native Mexican woman who is also adopting upper-class European traditions in the pre-revolutionary era. Women dress as this character in colorful and intricate traditional costumes and makeup.

The makeup looks like the sugar skull decorations and represents the beauty of the lost loved one and the inevitability of our own deaths. They are not meant to be scary, but instead are a celebration of the natural progression of life and death.

Day of the Dead Nails

Ever since Bad Bunny started sporting custom nails, getting your nails done has become a huge trend for men and women so this Dia de Los Muerto, many people are looking for inspiration to get Day of the Dead Nail Art done. From Coco-inspired Day of the Dead Nails, to traditional skulls and marigolds, the options are literally unlimited when it comes to getting them done you just have to find the right nail salon to pull them off.

Day of the Dead Traditions Carried on Today

Aren’t these traditions beautiful? Not only do Day of the Dead Traditions hold a lot of aesthetic value, but they also mean so much to the families who feel they will be reunited with their lost family members on this special day.

Are you curious about other aspects of Latin heritage? Be sure to read more of our Lifestyle articles to find out the significance of traditions.