Dia de los Muertos
Even though I love the happy colors associated with this holiday it is in contrast to the skull imagery. I was always conflicted on this holiday. I decided to learn the history of the holiday AND I love this holiday. Read on to learn more about Dia de Los Muertos and October themed weddings.
The Mexican holiday known as the el Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration. This holiday is a blend of Mesoamerican ritual, European religion and Spanish culture. The holiday is celebrated each year on November 1-2.
Beginning of Day of the Dead
The roots of the Day of the Dead go back approximately 3.000 years. The Aztecs and other Nahua people living in what is now central Mexico held a "full circle" view of the universe, and saw death as an important and ever-present part of life.
Upon dying, a person was believed to travel to Chicunamictlán otherwise known as the Land of the Dead. After traveling through nine challenging levels, which would take several years, the person’s soul would finally reach Mictlán, the final resting place. In Nahua rituals honoring the dead, family members provided food, water and tools to aid the deceased in this difficult journey. This ritual, inspired the contemporary Day of the Dead practice, leaving offerings on their grave, or setting them on a makeshift altar called ofrendas in their homes.
In ancient Europe, pagan celebrations of the dead took place in the fall. They included bonfires, dancing and feasting. Even with the rise of the Roman Catholic Church, they adopted some of the pagan celebrations into their two minor Catholic holidays, All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
In medieval Spain, people would bring wine and pan de ánimas (spirit bread) to the graves of their loved ones on All Souls Day; they would also cover graves with flowers and light candles to illuminate the dead souls’ way back to their homes on Earth.
How Is the Day of the Dead Celebrated?
El Día de los Muertos is NOT a Mexican version of Halloween. The two holidays do share some traditions, including costumes and parades. On the Day of the Dead, it’s believed that the border between the spirit world and the real world dissolve. During this brief period, the souls of the dead awaken and return to the living world while living family members act as the deceased are participating as honored guests. The living members leave their favorite foods and offerings on either the gravesite or the ofrenda in the home. The Disney movie "Coco" is a wonderful representation of Dia de los Muertos.
https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/day-of-the-dead
You could serve this at your Dia de los Muertos or October themed wedding!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 whole clove
- 1 pod star anise (optional)
- 4 1/4 cups milk
- 2 tablets Mexican chocolate (such as Chocolate Ibarra®)
- 3/4 cup pinole (coarse ground maize flour)
- 1 pinch crushed piloncillo (Mexican brown sugar cone), or more to taste
- Bring water, cinnamon stick, clove, and star anise to a boil in a saucepan; remove from heat and allow spices to steep until water is fragrant, about 10 minutes. Strain.
- Heat milk, chocolate, and pinole in another saucepan over medium heat, whisking until chocolate is dissolved and liquid is thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add piloncillo; let rest until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes more. Pour cinnamon water into chocolate mixture and stir to combine.
Fabric Pumpkins
materials
- Assorted fabrics, like washed-silk or rayon velvet, 45 inches wide, or silk fabric
- Sewing machine
- Batting
- Long sewing needle
- Embrodiery floss
- Needle and thread
steps
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Cut out a fabric rectangle on the bias that's twice as long as it is wide. (We used 5-by-10-inch, 8-by-16-inch, and 11-by-22-inch pieces for our three pumpkin sizes.)Fold rectangle, right side up, so short sides meet; stitch along that edge with 1/4-inch seam allowance. With doubled thread and running stitches, sew along 1 end; pull thread to cinch fabric closed, and stitch to secure.
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Turn pouch right side out; stuff with batting. With doubled thread and running stitches, sew around open end; pull thread to cinch fabric, and stitch to secure.Thread long needle with floss. Wrap floss around pumpkin, pulling through the core several times, to add ridges.
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For stem, cut out 2 stem-size pieces of fabric. Stitch pieces, right sides facing, leaving base open. Turn right side out; stuff with batting. Secure open end to pumpkin with slip stitches.
https://www.marthastewart.com/908062/fabric-pumpkins
I hope you have enjoyed this Dia de los Muertos October themed wedding inspiration. Ready to take the next step? Call, text (480-248-4938) or email (jeryse@mjkevents.com) to schedule a complimentary 1 hour planning session. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
If you prefer, you can use the following link to schedule a 1 hour complimentary planning session at - https://calendly.com/mjkevents/facetime
