Why Halloween And Day Of The Dead Are Two Completely Different Traditions?

If you travel to Mexico during the first days of November, you will see colorful altars, skulls, skeletons made of sugar, and bright flowers everywhere. Some people might think it looks like Halloween, but this is an important Mexican holiday known as the Day of the Dead (El Dia de Los Muertos). Even though both celebrations share some similarities, they have different histories and meanings.

Día de Los Muertos vs. Halloween

The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday on November 1st and 2nd. It’s about remembering loved ones who have passed away, especially children. It’sIt’s also about honoring their memory by spending time with family members, decorating graves with flowers and lights, writing messages on gravestones, and enjoying delicious food!

Halloween was originally celebrated in Ireland on October 31st to scare away evil spirits so they wouldn’t come into our homes while we were asleep at night. We dress up as scary creatures like vampires and werewolves or witches because these costumes make us look scary so that evil spirits won’t come near us!

It’s important to remember that Halloween has roots in Celtic traditions. In contrast, Day of the Dead has its roots in Mexican culture!

Alike but not the same.

Halloween and Day of the Dead may have some things in common, but while Halloween horror nights are a pagan holiday celebrated in the United States, Day of the Dead is a catholic holiday in Mexico. While both holidays involve dressing up as creatures from another world and having fun with your friends, there are some important differences.

Day of the Dead is a tradition of those who have passed away, and it takes place on November 2nd in Mexico every year. It’s meant to honor those who have died but also allow them to communicate with their loved ones so they can be at peace knowing their living family members have missed them. It’s like saying goodbye until next year (or whenever you see your loved one again).

Halloween has become more focused on scary costumes over time rather than honoring ancestors or paying tribute to death itself.

Different meanings.

In Europe, people dressed in costumes and went door to door asking for food or money. In Mexico, they would leave offerings of food and drink by the graves of deceased loved ones.

The Day of the Dead is a unique celebration of life—what we have now instead of what we lost. Of course, Halloween is also about appreciating what we have (such as candy). Still, the Day of the Dead it’s also centered around remembering those who left us before Halloween was even invented: death itself!

The similarities between Halloween and Day of the Dead make it easy to get confused about which. As you might have guessed, there are some similarities between Halloween and Day of the Dead. It is because the two holidays are celebrated almost on the same day, and they both feature dressing up in costume and similar traditions. 

Halloween has its roots in Ireland and Scotland, while Day of the Dead was adopted by Aztec culture. It’s also worth noting that Halloween is celebrated by most U.S. residents (and many other parts of Europe). Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations are particularly important to native Mexicans and those descended from Aztec ancestors.

The Day of the dead is not only celebrated in Mexico

Many other countries around the world celebrate this holiday as well. It is known in Spain and celebrated in Puerto Rico, where it is called Día de Los Difuntos (Day of the Deceased) or Finados. In addition, people celebrate Dia das Bruxas (Witches Day) in Colombia and Brazil. In contrast, Argentina celebrates El Día de Los Santos Inocentes (Day of Innocent Saints). Chileans set up altars to honor their beloved dead with food and drink on November 1st, using skull makeup—as a symbol of death.

While both have some similar elements, there are also essential differences that make each culture different. Mexican costumes are usually full of meaning and symbolism, while Halloween costumes grow out of people’s desire for fun.

So, whether you wear easy sugar skull makeup, a scary skeleton costume, or an elaborate catrina costume, we invite you to spend a day celebrating the Day of the Dead in Mexico. We’d love you’d come with us on the Mexico Underground’s Day of the Dead tour, where we’ll take you to one of the most important celebrations in Latin America. Not only will we have fun together and explore the roots of Mexican culture, but we will also learn about its mysteries. Reserve your spot now!