The Day of the Dead, as we know it today, emerged from a blend of traditions, merging indigenous reverence for death with Catholic influences. This celebration reflects Mexico's cultural and spiritual richness, honoring the deceased through a mix of history, rituals, and deeply rooted customs.
What Was the Day of the Dead Like in Pre-Hispanic Times?
The origin of the Day of the Dead traces back to pre-Hispanic cultures like the Mexica, where death was seen as the beginning of a journey to Mictlán, the underworld. This realm of the dead was considered a final resting place reached after traveling through nine levels. For the Mexica, the soul was believed to be composed of three spiritual elements: the tonalli (in the head), teyolia (in the heart), and ihiyotl (in the liver), which together embarked on the journey to Mictlán.
Tlaltecuhtli was the Earth goddess responsible for devouring corpses; according to Aztec myth, after consuming the bodies, this deity would birth the souls, allowing them to begin their journey toward Mictlán.
Souls and Destinies of the Deceased
In Mesoamerican worldview, not all souls had the same destiny; the deceased were assigned one of four specific destinations based on the manner of their death:
Chichihuacuauhco: A place for deceased children, where a tree with branches dripping milk awaited them.
Omeyocan, or the Sun's Paradise: Reserved for warriors who died in battle and women who died during childbirth. After four years, they would return as hummingbirds.
Mictlán: The common destination for those who died of natural causes.
Tlalocan, home of Tlaloc: An aquatic paradise for those who died in water-related circumstances or were struck by lightning.
Tlalocan. Tepantitla, Zona arqueológica de Teotihuacan, estado de México. Foto: Oliver Santana / Raíces
The Day of the Dead in Pre-Hispanic Mexico
In Mesoamerican cultures, death was not seen as an end, but as the beginning of a journey to the underworld, specifically to Mictlán. The Mexica, one of Mesoamerica’s most representative cultures, believed the soul needed to pass through nine levels to reach this place. These nine levels symbolized trials and challenges the deceased had to overcome, seen as a symbolic return to the maternal womb—the Earth. Archaeologist Eduardo Matos Moctezuma explains in "Life and Death in the Templo Mayor" that these nine levels may be related to the nine times a woman ceases menstruation during pregnancy, reinforcing the idea of returning to one’s origins.
Ancient Mexicans didn’t set up altars or specific offerings for the dead as we do today. Instead, the deceased were wrapped in a mat and buried with personal items, food, and sometimes even dogs, who would serve as their guides in the underworld. In the Mexica calendar, festivals for the dead were held in August and September and included rituals of homage and gratitude for the deceased. These celebrations were known as Miccailhuitontli for children and Hueymiccailhuitl for adults, each lasting 20 days.
The celebration of Día de Muertos on November 1 and 2 is purely Catholic, as the ancient Mexicans had different dates for their death rituals.
Día de Muertos in Michoacán: A Celebration Full of Color - FICM
November 1st and 2nd in Catholic Tradition
Contrary to popular belief, the Day of the Dead is neither strictly a pre-Hispanic festival nor a direct result of indigenous-European syncretism. The observances on November 1st and 2nd actually originated in medieval Europe and were instituted by the Catholic Church.
November 1st, All Saints' Day, was established in 609 by Pope Boniface IV. This day was dedicated to honoring all saints, known and unknown, as a response to pagan festivities. The consecration of this date aimed to bring all Christian martyrs together in one celebration.
November 2nd, All Souls' Day, was introduced in 998 by Saint Odilo, the abbot of Cluny Monastery. This observance began after a vision in which an angel asked Saint Odilo to establish a day of prayer for the dead to help souls in purgatory reach salvation.
The Origin of Today’s Day of the Dead
With the arrival of the Spanish and the imposition of Catholicism, these celebrations fused with indigenous practices. Over the centuries, the Day of the Dead transformed into a unique tradition, where pre-Hispanic symbolism and Christian beliefs coexisted, creating the vibrant altars and offerings we see today. Nowadays, the Day of the Dead honors both deceased loved ones and ancestors, evoking a rich cultural heritage that connects indigenous roots with Christian beliefs.
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