Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead –noun
An annual celebration to honour the spirits of the dead, observed in Mexico and other Latin American countries on November 1st and 2nd.

Traditions include visiting the graves of the departed with sugar skulls, marigolds, and their favourite foods and beverages as gifts. Due to its time being close to Halloween, the Day of the Dead is commonly thought to be similar to Halloween, although the two holidays actually have little in common.

Calaveras de Azúcar, or sugar skulls, are used to adorn altars and can be eaten. During Day of the Dead celebrations Ofrendas ("offerings") are also put in homes, usually with foods such as candied pumpkin, Pan de Muerto ("bread of the dead") and beverages, as well as sugar skulls.

Neopets currently has 8 types of sugar skull which can be bought at the Chocolate Factory!

Day of the Dead celebrations come to life through unique traditions which include preparing an altar and making offerings to the deceased. The altar includes four main elements of nature - earth, wind, water, and fire.

Earth is represented by crop. It is believed that the souls are fed by the aroma of food.

Wind is represented by a moving object: Tissue paper is commonly used to represent
wind.

Water is placed in a container for the soul to quench its thirst after the long journey to
the altar.

Fire is represented by a wax candle. Each lit candle represents a soul, and an extra
one is placed for the forgotten soul.

The offerings given during the Day of the Dead are a main aspect of the celebration.

Wild flowers that grow in the region are commonly used as offerings. Marigolds are sometimes called "The Flower of the Dead" therefore they are often used in Day of the Dead celebrations.

A common symbol of the holiday is the skull, which celebrants represent in masks, called calacas, and foods such as sugar or chocolate skulls. Other holiday foods include pan de muerto, a sweet egg bread made in various shapes, from plain rounds to skulls and rabbits, for celebrating this "fiesta" often decorated with white frosting to look like twisted bones.

NC Mall Items

Day of the Dead Skull Purse	Haunting Ghostkerchief	Isca Halloween Ghost on a String	Skull String Lights	Subservient Sentient Stones

NP Items