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Halloween (or All Hallows’ Eve) is celebrated on October 31 in several countries.
It has its roots in pagan celebrations for the end of the harvest season, various
festivals of the dead, and the Celtic Samhain festival. Day of the Dead (or Dia
de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday, also celebrated in parts of Latin America
and the U.S., to remember and pray for family and friends who have died. It is
on November 1.
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Origins
Day of the Dead can be traced back to indigenous cultures in
Mexico dating back 2,500 to 3,000 years, who had rituals
celebrating the deaths of ancestors. The festival originally
occurred in the ninth month of the Aztec calendar and lasted
Kids trick or treating during
for the entire month.
Halloween
Halloween is believed to have pagan roots, and is linked to
the Celtic festival Samhain, when the “door” to the Otherworld was believed to be
opened so that the souls of the dead could enter this world. It was also influenced by
Christian All Saints’ Day, which honors saints and the recently departed.
This National Geographic Channel video takes a look at the history of Halloween and
how it came to be known as an appreciation of the afterlife.
Halloween History
Celebration
The Day of the Dead celebrates and remembers friends and family members who have
died. In most parts of Mexico, the Day of the Dead is used to honor children and infant
family members that died. Adults are honored on November 2nd. The atmosphere is
rather that of a picnic or celebration than mourning. Mexicans embrace death and
celebrate the deceased for the time they lived.
This video takes a look at the festival of the Day of the Dead, which is believed to be a
celebration of life itself.
Catrinas, traditions figures of day of the dead
celebrations in Mexico People in Day of the Dead costumes
In contemporary times, Halloween is celebrated by both children and adults. Children
dress up in costumes and go trick‑or‑treating from house to house for candy. They ask
the traditional question “trick or treat,” implying that they will cause mischief if no
treat is given. Costumes are traditionally supernatural or frightening, but over time,
they have changes to be costumes on any theme. Popular games include apple bobbing
and visiting haunted houses. Adults also enjoy Halloween with costume parties, often
with varying themes that arenʹt necessarily related to the horror genre.
Creepy halloween costumes
Dogs dressed up as Batman and Wonder
Woman
Symbols
The Day of the Dead is commonly represented by a skull. People celebrating wear skull
masks, called calacas. Sugar skulls are given as gifts.
Symbols of Halloween include pumpkins and various tropes of horror literature,
including vampires, ghosts and mummies.
References
Wikipedia:Day of the Dead
Wikipedia:Halloween
Halloween ‑ Encyclopedia Britannica
Day of the Dead ‑ Encyclopedia Britannica
http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/losmuertos.htm
http://www.foodtimeline.org/halloween.html
http://www.foodtimeline.org/halloween.html#dayofthedead
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Comments: Day of the Dead vs Halloween
7 Comments Sort by Newest
Anonymous comments (1)
November 3, 2013, 2:49pm
This is a really helpful website. More people should use it often.
Add a comment...
Theyʹre not kidding you really can compare any two things. Iʹve tried
random things and they all work.
— 96.✗.✗.215
Dani Willow Gager ∙ Looking at Currently Job Hunting
Is it possible that the day of the dead is closer to Samhain the celtic
festival but more modern?
I want to go see Dia de los Muertos one day closer to Mexico or
another area where it's more common and a true holiday for the
country. It looks so happy and beautiful! How could anyonenot see
the true beauty of remembering and honoring your lost loved ones!
Ok silly question please don't laugh too much. I'm catholic, so I have
my pets blessed when possible and may think differently than most.
Do any do altars for beloved pets? ?
Like ∙ Reply ∙ Oct 20, 2015 7:50am
Dani Willow Gager ∙ Looking at Currently Job Hunting
What can one do on day of the dead if your family member has no
grave but you want to build an altar and celebrate their life?
Especially to share a lost and not practiced tradition in your family
since all of the different types of culture in your family. But you want
to expose the children of the family to family culture? I'm a mutt! I'm
Menorcan, Mex.Irish, polish, German, catholic and way back my
grand mother's family emigrated from Poland before the nazis fully
invaded some how by converting to cathedral so her father could
fight in the war before coming here to the states. She loved our
... See More
Like ∙ Reply ∙ Oct 20, 2015 7:41am
Drydz Rigonan
A variation of the Mexican "Day of the dead" is also practiced in the
Philippines. Also held on the same day, Nov 1.
Like ∙ Reply ∙ 2 ∙ Oct 13, 2015 6:55pm
Dani Willow Gager ∙ Looking at Currently Job Hunting
Do you happen to know if there is a way to do either without
a grave or tombstone? My grandmother was cremated, and
the other who is catholic and promised to make contact if
she could (it's a tragic breast cancer story that I'm trying to
find help writing her story while I can't work, but this I hate )
I've never had money to see where she is buried in Ohio
and I missed her funeral, we were also super close as with
my other, and she passed on the morning of my birthday.
So I'm dying to show my love for her and the other
somehow. I've lost many relatives as though I lived in
Chicago or LA and I'm in Jacksonville, FL. Can you help, or
guide me. Or maybe we could talk,
please I would greatly appreciate any help
Like ∙ Reply ∙ Oct 20, 2015 8:09am
Eric Vera
I don't see why people get so pissed with the comparison or union of
these two celebrations. They're really cool. I love them both. Why
"nationalize" when you can be a citizen of the world? Cool website.
"nationalize" when you can be a citizen of the world? Cool website.
Like ∙ Reply ∙ 1 ∙ Oct 10, 2015 5:03am
Dani Willow Gager ∙ Looking at Currently Job Hunting
Do you practice either of these holidays? Specifically Dia de
los Muertos?
Like ∙ Reply ∙ Oct 20, 2015 7:57am
Eric Vera
Dani Willow Gager Yes, I do. Why?
Like ∙ Reply ∙ 17 hrs
Energized
The rituals looks interesting even if it is some what difficult to
practice.
Like ∙ Reply ∙ 1 ∙ Nov 3, 2014 6:53am
Oscar Zakrias ∙ FCPyS UNAM
You need to make more research on this subject before you post an
accurate article. Your post is foul.
Like ∙ Reply ∙ 2 ∙ Nov 1, 2014 7:01pm
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