The Day of the Dead is more than just sugar skull make-up and colorful getups; it’s a day of remembrance.
The Mexican holiday, celebrated on the first and second day of November, is a time when families commemorate the loved ones they’ve lost with beautiful altars and lively visits to their graves — but it’s also when many reflect on the fragility of life. That means the holiday is a time to embrace both life and death, recognizing the shortness of the former and the inevitably of the latter in a colorful and festive celebration.
While el Da de Muertos has its origins in Mexico, the holiday is celebrated by many around the world. To capture the haunting beauty of celebrating the dead, we compiled 35 photos of Day of the Dead celebrations around the world. Take a look below:
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Michoacan, Mexico
Families decorate a relative’s grave with flowers at a cemetery in Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan State, Mexico. -
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Brazil
A reveler places a candle during a Day of the Dead party on November 1, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazilians often mark the traditional Mexican holiday by visiting loved ones’ graves and sometimes leaving offerings of food or drink. -
A reveler poses during a Day of the Dead party on November 1, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. -
Revelers look on while posing during a Day of the Dead party on November 1, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. -
Revelers play music during a Day of the Dead party on November 1, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. -
Revelers embrace while posing during a Day of the Dead party on November 1, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. -
California, U.S.
A guest with a painted on sugar skull attends the 2015 HARD Day of the Dead Festival at Fairplex on November 1, 2015 in Pomona, California. -
Oklahoma, U.S.
Stacy Waters and Rhoman wait to join the processional parade during the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, November 1, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Officials were trying to break a world record for people dressed as ‘La Calavera Catrinas’ and ‘Catrins’. The world record for the most in one place is 509 by Mexico City. -
Adrina Trejo and Moses Duran pose for photos at an ofrenda during the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, November 1, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. -
Teresa Phillips stops traffic during the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, November 1, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. -
Victoria and Alessandra Reyes orginally of Zacateas, Mexico celebrate during the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, November 1, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. -
Martin Vera, dressed in a traditional Aztec head dress, joins in the processional parade during the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, November 1, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. -
Bruce Britt and Kieth Porter tour during the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, November 1, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. -
Keith Porter shows off his costume during the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, November 1, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. -
Ben and Kayle Kissler wait for the processional parade during the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, November 1, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. -
A giant skelaton puppet leads the processional parade during the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, November 1, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. -
James Rodriguez poses for photos during the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, November 1, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. -
Taryn Johnson poses for photos during the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, November 1, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. -
Tracy Stevens posed for photos during the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, November 1, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. -
A young boy rides on his father’s shoulders during the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, November 1, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. -
A couple dressed for the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration dances in the street on November 1, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. -
Mexico City, Mexico
An altar of the Dead set at the Olympic University stadium dedicated to Mexican Independence leader Jose Maria Morelos on October 31, 2015, in Mexico city. This year the altars were built by different schools. -
An altar of the Dead set at the Olimpic University stadium dedicated to Mexican Inpendence leader Jose Maria Morelos on October 31, 2015, in Mexico City. -
The parents of deceased child of Maria de Jesus Lopez stand next to her grave after lighting candles and placing flowers at the tomb of her daughter during Day of the Dead festivities at the San Gregorio cemetery on the outskirts of Mexico City, late Saturday, Nov. 1, 2015. In a tradition that coincides with All Saints Day and All Souls Day on Nov. 1 and 2, families decorate the graves of departed relatives with marigolds and candles, and spend the night in the cemetery, eating and drinking as they keep company with their deceased loved ones. At this cemetery, families pay a special tribute to children who have died, on the night of Oct. 31 into the morning of Nov. 1. The following night, families keep vigil at the tombs of adults. -
Parents decorate the tomb of their son Emmanuel with a candles and flowers during Day of the Dead festivities at the San Gregorio cemetery on the outskirts of Mexico City, late Saturday, Nov. 1, 2015. -
A family member lights a candle on a child’s grave during Day of the Dead festivities at the San Gregorio cemetery in Mexico City, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. -
Family members talk together as they keep vigil beside a child’s grave during Day of the Dead festivities at the San Gregorio cemetery in Mexico City, in the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. -
Morelia, Mexico
An old couple for pictures during the Catrinas contest as part of Day of the Dead celebration on October 31, 2015 in Morelia, Mexico. -
A woman poses for pictures during the Catrinas contest as part of Day of the Dead celebration on October 31, 2015 in Morelia, Mexico. -
A young couple pose for pictures during the Catrinas contest as part of Day of the Dead celebration on October 31, 2015 in Morelia, Mexico. -
A woman poses for pictures during the Catrinas contest as part of Day of the Dead celebration on October 31, 2015 in Morelia, Mexico. -
A woman poses for pictures during the Catrinas contest as part of Day of the Dead celebration on October 31, 2015 in Morelia, Mexico.
Related Reads:
5 Dia De Los Muertos Questions You Were Too Afraid To Ask
Blog: Da de los Muertos Is Not Halloween
What A Film About The Day Of The Dead Can Teach Kids About Living
Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/11/02/day-of-the-dead-photos-around-the-world-2015_n_8455216.html
