--- title: Day of the Dead Around the World | Art of Fine Gifts description: Learn how the exotic, colourful and unique Day of the Dead festival is celebrated across the world. image: https://blog.flametreepublishing.com/hubfs/day_of_the_dead_1.jpg --- - [Home](https://info.flametreepublishing.com/blog) | - [ Contact & About Us](https://blog.flametreepublishing.com/contact-us) T H E   F L A M E   T R E E   B L O G ![Hubspot_Day_of_the_Dead1](https://blog.flametreepublishing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Hubspot_Day_of_the_Dead1.jpg?width=980&height=200&name=Hubspot_Day_of_the_Dead1.jpg "Hubspot_Day_of_the_Dead1") # Visual & Decorative Arts Blog # Day of the Dead Around the World | Art of Fine Gifts Posted by [Josie Mitchell](https://blog.flametreepublishing.com/art-of-fine-gifts/author/josie-mitchell) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![day_of_the_dead_1](https://blog.flametreepublishing.com/hubfs/day_of_the_dead_1.jpg) Day of the Dead is a **Mexican holiday** in which people gather together with friends and family to remember those who have died, including **colourful parades, music and parties** in cemeteries. They believe that at midnight on October 31 the **gates of heaven are opened** and the spirits of children who have passed away are allowed to spend 24 hours with their families. On November 1, adult spirits also come down to enjoy the festivities. The tradition dates back **hundreds of years** to a festival celebrated by the Aztecs for the **goddess Mictecacihuatl**, when it would have been celebrated in early Summer. It now takes place on the 1st and 2nd of November to happen alongside the Roman Catholic festivals of **Saints' Eve, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.** ### **Mexico** The celebration is particularly popular in southern and central regions of Mexico. Originally, **Day of the Dead** (or **Dia de los Muertos**) was not celebrated in the **north of Mexico**, at first because it was unknown to the people there who tended to be European and not indigenous people, but later because it was associated with mixing **Pagan** festivals with **Catholicism** and most of those in the north did not agree with this. The celebration was made a **public holiday** by the Mexican government in the 1960s – in part to unify the country – and so now even those in northern Mexico are encouraged to participate. There are many aspects to the celebration in Mexico. One of the main ones is the beautiful alters called **ofrendas**, which are made by each Mexican family in their homes. They are traditionally decorated with **marigolds, candles, photos, food and drinks**. There are many parties and parades held for day of the Dead in Mexico, including** vibrant and colourful** markets and stalls. Families often spend time cleaning graves and **talking and drinking** together, remembering their loved ones who have passed away. The celebration is a happy one, but it is also a way to** grieve and confront death**, rather than fear it.  ### **Europe** Day of the Dead is also observed in many places in Europe, with slightly different celebrations being held, but all to honour the passing of relatives and friends. Croatia, Finland, Germany, Sweden, Slovenia, Norway and Poland all **light candles** to pay respect to the dead. While in **Belgium, France, Italy, Ireland** and the Netherlands people visit cemeteries with flowers and say **prayers** together to remember and honour the deceased.  In Brittany, France, people go to cemeteries at night to **kneel at the graves** of their loved ones, where holy water is poured. At home, they leave out **food for the spirits** and the rooms are kept especially warm for their comfort.  [![Art of Fine Gifts, art calendars, flame tree publishing](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/293166/b59b6fa9-d55a-4cae-a5e5-1e535026c22b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/293166/b59b6fa9-d55a-4cae-a5e5-1e535026c22b) ### **America** There are many places in America that celebrate Day of the Dead in mostly the same way as it is celebrated in Mexico. **Texas and Arizona** are the main states for which this is true, in part because of the prevalence of the Mexican people in the southern states. In Tucson, Arizona, the **All Souls Procession** is held every year. People wear masks and dress up in** bright colours** to honour the dead while people write out **prayers for their loved ones**, to be carried throughout the procession in an urn. With thousands of people attending to grieve together it is an incredibly **powerful and popular** event. But it is not just Texas and Arizona that have adopted Day of the Dead ceremonies. Many celebrations are held throughout America, including in **San Francisco** where altars are put up in Garfield Park by the **Marigold Project**, who are a charity that aim to promote and share the practices of Day of the Dead. ### **The Philippines** In the Phillippines Day of the Dead celebrations are taken very seriously. They are termed **Allhallowtide** in English and **Araw ng mga Patáy** in Filipino. Only being beaten in importance by Christmas and Holy Week, there is an official holiday on the 1 November but often the government allows days before and after to be non-working days to allow people to **travel to their hometowns**. As with celebrations in Mexico, people visit graves and spend time **eating, drinking, singing and dancing**. Incense sticks are lit, and candles and flowers are offered to the dead.  ![day_of_the_dead](https://blog.flametreepublishing.com/hubfs/day_of_the_dead.jpg) **To learn more about Day of the Dead customs, history, art, celebrations and much more take a look at our beautiful new book *Day of the Dead*. This title informs readers about important rituals, costumes and festivities whilst showcasing the art, movies and literature that were inspired by the celebration. **[**You can take a closer look at the book her****e**](http://flametreepublishing.com/The-Day-of-the-Dead.html)**[.](http://flametreepublishing.com/The-Day-of-the-Dead.html) ****For Amazon click **[**here**](http://www.amazon.co.uk/Day-Dead-Inspiration-Inspirations-Techniques/dp/1783616091/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1443619433&sr=8-1&keywords=9781783616091)**. ** ### Links - To learn more about other festivals that celebrate the dead [click here.](http://listverse.com/2013/01/19/10-festivals-that-honor-the-dead/) - To see some fantastic art inspired by the festivities [click here.](http://www.davidlozeau.com/collections/day-of-the-dead) ### Subscribe for email updates ### FREE Download [![FREE online magazine here](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/293166/284b0214-b58c-42d7-acb5-91f1fcd82c9c.png)](http://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/293166/284b0214-b58c-42d7-acb5-91f1fcd82c9c) Download a digital magazine, Flame Tree Arts, with a special edition on **Art Deco.** ![Flame Tree Arts Mag 01 cover resized 171](https://blog.flametreepublishing.com/hs-fs/file-247369099-jpg/images/flame-tree-arts-mag-01-cover-resized-171.jpg) ### About us *The Art of Fine Gifts: *from luxury notebooks, foiled journals, art calendars, iphone cases, books and illustrated ebooks FLAME TREE Combines beautiful detail and exquisite craftsmanship across a range of elegant gifts. ![Kiss Journal resized 170](https://blog.flametreepublishing.com/hs-fs/file-245588889-jpg/images/kiss_journal-resized-170.jpg) ### Please follow us... ### Subscribe by Email ### Posts by category - 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