ON "THE DAY OF THE DEAD", OAXACA IS DRESSED AS CEMPASÚCHIL.
- J&M Real Estate Huatulco
- Oct 31, 2023
- 2 min read
Today, even after so many years I remember my Mom placing the Cempasúchil flowers on the beautiful altar; which were the main setting of the offering where the smells of those beautiful bright orange flowers mixed with the scent of bread, fruits, incense and the wax of the candles that illuminated, creating a magical and mystical atmosphere; It is wonderful that one of the most beautiful traditions of my beloved Mexico endures to this day.
In Mexico and especially in Oaxaca we live on the 1st. and 2nd. of November the great celebration of this significant tradition “The Day of the Dead”, which seeks to create a mystical bridge of encounter between the world of the living and the world of the dead, during those 2 days the memory of those loved ones that have already left are remembered.
The main elements of this festival of aromas, colors and sensations are:
The beautiful and endemic flowers of Cempasúchil whose name comes from the Nahuatl “Cempohualxochitl” and which means “flower with 20 petals” or “20 flowers”, its bright orange color is believed to represent the sun and life, and is used in offerings to guide the souls of the deceased back to Earth during the "Day of the Dead".
The offering, which is a sacred act whose symbol is sharing with the deceased what they liked most in life, such as bread, culinary delicacies, fruits, water, mezcal, etc. The offering represents the reunion, the hankering and the remembrance of shared memories.
Candles. It means the light, the ray of hope that is kept in the heart to reunite with loved ones who have left and it is also a guide so that the souls can reach their old places and illuminate the return to their home.
Copal and incense. It is the element that sublimates prayer or praise. It is used to cleanse the place of evil spirits so that the soul can enter your house without any danger.
Sugar skulls are an allusion to death always present from the day we are born, but on this special date it does not represent an absence but rather the living presence of those loved ones.
These are just some of the most important things in an offering, but there are many more that can be put as they are; the photo of the loved one who is expected, decorative paper, liquor, toys for the children's souls, an ash cross and of course traditional Mexican music cannot be missed.
The "Day of the Dead" is celebrated throughout Mexico, having some variants depending on the region or state, it is a tradition that has such deep roots that they go beyond a party, its meaning unites families, communities and towns in a common feeling of remembrance for those who have passed away but with whom once every November we can unite in spirit with joy.
M. Guzmán.
October 31th., 2023.
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