What is 'Dia de Los Muertos?' Meaning and Traditions About Celebrations of Life and Death

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is an important celebration that will return on November 1 and 2, 2025.

This culturally rich, multi-day tradition originates from Mexico, where families gather to remember and honor loved ones who have passed away.

In contrast to the atmosphere of mourning, Día de los Muertos is a colorful celebration of life and death, believed to be a time when the spirits of the ancestors return to visit their families.

In 2008, the cultural significance of Día de los Muertos was internationally recognized by UNESCO.

The organization designated "Indigenous Celebrations Dedicated to the Dead" as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, affirming its profound historical and social value.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is rooted in Indigenous culture. Families create a trail of marigold petals from their front doors to altars to help guide spirits home.Read more: https://t.co/35eEDQgxPA pic.twitter.com/sL39XK6gMI

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) November 1, 2025

Día de los Muertos is traditionally celebrated annually on November 1st and 2nd.

In 2025, November 1st falls on a Saturday, while November 2nd will fall on a Sunday, providing more opportunity for families to gather.

November 1st is dedicated specifically to remembering children and babies who have died.

This day is often referred to as Día de los Inocentes, or Day of the Innocents, and is also known as Día de los Angelitos, meaning Day of the Little Angels.

Meanwhile, November 2nd is the main day of the celebration, focusing on remembering adults who have died.

On this day, families perform various rituals and traditions to welcome and honor the spirits of their ancestors.

This celebration is a multi-day festival deeply rooted in ancient Mesoamerican traditions dating back thousands of years.

The Día de los Muertos celebration is filled with various traditions rich in meaning and visuals.

Each element plays a vital role in welcoming and honoring the returning spirits.

• Ofrendas (Altars): Families build special altars in their homes, decorated with photos of the deceased, their favorite foods and drinks, candles, cempasúchil (marigold) flowers, and other personal items. These ofrendas serve as a way to welcome the deceased back to the world of the living.
• Calaveras (Skulls): Skulls are a very common symbol, appearing in sugar skulls (calaveras de azúcar), masks, and makeup. Sugar skulls are often decorated with the names of the deceased and placed on ofrendas as offerings.
• Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead): This is a special sweet bread baked for celebrations, often decorated with bone or tear-shaped shapes. This bread symbolizes offerings and is often enjoyed with family.
• Visits to Graves: Families clean and decorate the graves of their loved ones with flowers, candles, and offerings. They often spend time, even overnight, at the graves to feel close to the spirits of their ancestors.
• Marigold (Cempasúchil): The bright orange marigold flower is widely used because it is believed that its scent and color help guide spirits back home. These petals are often strewn along paths leading to altars.

La Catrina is a tall, thin woman, and she is seen everywhere during the festival.

She is a character created in the early 1900s by political cartoonist and lithographer Jose Guadalupe Posada.

La Catrina wears a luxurious French hat and feathers.

Posada's work is a commentary on Mexican aspirations to emulate European elites.

Posada is known for his phrase, "we are all skeletons", which refers to how, beneath the fancy clothes, jewelry and body coverings, we are all the same. 

In 1947, artist Diego Rivera included Posada’s art in a mural, naming her Catrina, which means “the rich”.