Day of the Dead occurs annually on November 2, following Halloween and All Soul’s Day. The holiday, which was recognized by UNESCO in its Tangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2008, is an important cultural day in Mexico and is also celebrated worldwide by people of Mexican descent.
While “Death” is the main theme of the day, “Dia de los Muertos” revelers demonstrate love and respect for deceased family members and friends with colorful festivities that reaffirm the beauty and joy of life. Throughout Mexico people wear costumes and masks and celebrate the day with parades and parties to honor their departed loved ones.
The ancient Aztec, Toltec and Nahua peoples of Mexico originated Day of the Dead more than 3,000 years ago. These cultures saw death as another phase of life and believed mourning the dead to be disrespectful. The holiday was reserved to welcome the return of their dead, who temporarily returned to Earth on this day.
Elaborate altars, constructed in residences and cemeteries and adorned with flowers, photographs, and gifts, are an integral part of Dia de los Muertos celebrations. These altars welcome the spirits back to visit with their surviving family members and to offer counsel and guidance to the living.
Oaxaca, Guadalajara, Chiapas and Mexico City offer some of the best Dia de los Muertos celebrations in Mexico today, with colorful parades, spiritual ceremonies and other exciting events on this day in observance of this important Mexican cultural holiday.
A colorful sand painting of La Catrina in front of an ofrenda to celebrate the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico. 
Floral crosses and hearts for sale for ofrendas for Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos in Oaxaca, Mexico. 
A woman getting her face painted for the Day of the Dead celebration in Oaxaca, Mexico. 
A large ofrenda in the Zocalo in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral to celebrate Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico. 
Colorful hand-painted ceramic skulls celebrating the Day of the Dead Fiesta for sale on the street in Oaxaca, Mexico. 
A large papier-mache mythical dragon creature on the street during the Day of the Dead celebration in Oaxaca, Mexico. 
A young woman with her face painted for the Day of the Dead celebration in Oaxaca, Mexico. 
A floral cross in front of an ofrenda in a public square for Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos in Oaxaca, Mexico. 
A large papier mache statue of La Catrina on the street of Xochimilco at night to celebrate Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico. 
A Roman Catholic religious procession with pictures of saints the day after Day of the Dead in dowtown Oaxaca, Mexico. 
A couple of papier mache skeletons in indigenous dress celebrate Day of the Dead on a bench on a street in Oaxaca, Mexico. 
Man with face painted & dressed as a vaquero for a costume competition for Day of the Dead celebration in Oaxaca, Mexico. 
A large papier-mache jaguar alebrije decoration over the street during the Day of the Dead celebration in Oaxaca, Mexico. 
A person on stilts dressed as La Catrina for a costume competition for Day of the Dead celebration in Oaxaca, Mexico. 
A large ofrenda in the Zocalo in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral to celebrate Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico. 
Colorful hand-painted ceramic skulls celebrating the Day of the Dead Fiesta for sale on the street in Oaxaca, Mexico. 
Souvenir ceramic La Catrinas for sale for the Day of the Dead in a street market in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico.
Photographer Jon Fuller has traveled extensively across Mexico and provides a diverse range of cultural and location photography to VWPics, one of UIG’s image partners. Fuller’s images of Day of the Dead ceremonies in Mexico offer an authentic perspective on the holiday.
All images featured in this post are copyrighted to Jon Fuller/VWPics. These and all images on Kaleidoscope are available for licensing. Please contact us at info@universalimagesgroup.com
Sources
www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/top-ten-day-of-dead-mexico