MEXICO CITY — Day of the Dead, or Día de Muertos, is one of the most important celebrations in Mexico, with roots dating back thousands of years, long before Spanish settlers arrived. It has become a blend of Catholic tradition and Mexican mysticism, commemorating death as another element of life and as a way to remember and honor loved ones. In bustling markets, stalls sell decorated skulls made of sugar or chocolate, while tissue paper, cut into delicate shapes, adorns stores and restaurants. In houses all over the country, families carefully place photographs of their ancestors on an altar beside candles and a traditional Mexican pastry, as incense fills the air. The holiday is a rich and complex tradition that has increasingly infiltrated popular culture the world over.

Source: New York Times October 30, 2021 20:58 UTC