Tuesday, November 1, 2011

"In Celebration..."

...of loved ones who have gone before us.
Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos)
is a Mexican holiday
celebrated throughout Mexico
and around the world in many cultures.
Here in the desert southwest United States
it is a very popular holiday indeed.
The holiday focuses
on gatherings of family and friends
to pray for
and remember loved ones
who have died.
In Mexico it is like a national holiday.
The celebration takes place on November 1–2,
in connection with
the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (November 1)
and All Souls' Day (November 2).
Traditions connected with this holiday
include building private altars
honoring the deceased using sugar skulls,
marigolds,
and the favorite foods and beverages.
It also includes
visiting the graves of the departed
with these as gifts.
During the next several days I will be sharing
with you some of my own
Dia De Los Muertos art cards
as well as some photos of offerendas (altars)
made by professional artists
as part of a Dia de Los Muertos
celebration at the Desert Botanical Gardens
in Phoenix.
They were so beautiful and soulful...
they actually took my breath
away.

7 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Good to see what you have been up to lately Peg. I am always facinated by this Mexican holiday. I can't wait to see the altars.

jinxxxygirl said...

So looking forward to your upcoming posts.

Clare said...

Very beautiful Margaret. I love all the colour, creativity and festivity of Dia de Los Muertos. I am an Australian so Unfortunately we do not celebrate this holiday. I love your card!

Cathy Holtom said...

Beautiful work. We have 'feast of the dead' here in Sicily too, small children receive presents supposedly from dead relatives and everyone goes to the visit their loved ones tombs. It sounds macabre but it isn't at all!

Alex said...

Love the coloration as always =) simply beautiful

JanBo said...

My most favorite museum in Chicago is the National Museum of Mexican Art. Your artwork reminds me of some of the pieces I have seen there. Very nice.

Unknown said...

Beautiful page!