15 Totally Cool and Surprising Day of the Dead Facts

Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday of remembrance and celebration for those who have passed. It is celebrated in Mexico, some parts of Latin America, as well as the United States. Many people know it from calaveras de azúcar (sugar skulls), Catrin and Catrinas face painting and the Disney movie Coco, but this rich and layered holiday has centuries-old traditions.

Read on to discover fun, and unexpected, facts about Day of the Dead.

Related: 15 Best Día de los Muertos Traditions To Honor Loved Ones

15 Day of the Dead Facts

1. Its origins are native to Mexico

Día de los Muertos has emerged and evolved in Mexico over centuries and finds roots in an Aztec or Mexica ritual known as Miccaihuitl, which "was an honoring of the dead, but it was also the time for harvesting," according to Mexican American studies scholar Michelle Téllez, per the University of Arizona news.

2. Day of the Dead takes place on November 1 and November 2

When the Spanish colonized the Aztec empire, they blended many indigenous rituals and beliefs with Catholicism and Christianity. This meant that the festival and rites of honoring of the dead was moved from the late summer to November 1 and 2 to coincide with All Saints Day and All Souls Day, per the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

3. Ofrendas are a centerpiece

An ofrenda means "offering" in Spanish and is central to Día de los Muertos. Families set up these ofrendas—or altars—with photos of loved ones who have passed along with flowers, candles, and offerings to our ancestors like drinks and food they loved.

3. It is not a sad day

Día de los Muertos is infused with the belief that if we continue to remember and celebrate our departed loved ones then, in a way, they will live on in our hearts as well as in our memories. By placing their photos on the altar and recounting memories, they are with us and in us. It also reminds us of the cycles of life so we can celebrate the beauty in joy that exists in life alongside death.

5. Marigolds guide loved ones home

Bright orange marigolds abound in Day of the Dead celebrations—and for a reason. According to NPR, historical accounts have found marigolds (cempasúchil in Spanish or cempohualxochitl in Nahautl) have been used in traditional Mesoamerican rituals and feasts used to honor the dead because they're believed to lead the souls of the dead to ofrendas. Marigolds continue to be used in Día de los Muertos celebrations for this reason thanks to their vibrant color and distinct aroma (again, luring the spirits of deceased loved ones to the land of the living).

6. The history of La Catrina

The ceramic figurines and images of La Catrina are ever present around the Day of the Dead and have a fascinating history. According to National Geographic, in the early 1900s, the artist and illustrator José Guadalupe Posada created Catrina as a satire ridiculing and commenting on Mexican high society's taste for European fashions. And today, La Catrina continues on, symbolizing the inevitable aspect of death.

7. Don't forget the sugar skulls

Little skulls fashioned out of sugar paste are a beautiful and historic part of Day of the Dead. According to the Mexic-Arte Museum in Austin, Texas, the imagery of skulls dates back to pre-colonial times, while the art of sugar sculpting is something the Spanish brought with them. These gorgeous, mini pieces of art can have loved ones' names on them and can be placed on the ofrenda in remembrance.

8. Pan de Muerto is a must

For Día de los Muertos, bakeries are filled with pan de muerto, sweet bread fashioned into many shapes and sizes like little figurines or loaves decorated with bones (huesos) to represent this honoring of our dead.

9. Families can visit graves

As part of Day of the Dead, many families visit their loved ones in cemeteries, bringing food, and cleaning the grave area. In Los Angeles, the famous Hollywood Forever Cemetery (the resting place of actress Judy Garland, actor Rudolph Valentino and the musician Chris Cornell, to name a few) features a historic Day of the Dead celebration featuring "gorgeous altars, Mexica (Aztec) dancers, five stages of music and dance, arts and crafts, a ritual procession and much more, attracting attendees from around the world."

10. Monarch Butterflies have cultural significance

According to the Grace Museum, the Monarch butterflies complete their long journey to Mexico around Day of the Dead, so have come to represent the spirit of the loved ones who have departed.

11. Day of the Dead is recognized as an important cultural holiday

In 2008, UNESCO recognized Día de los Muertos for its "Intangible Cultural Heritage." According to UNESCO, Intangible Cultural Heritage "is an important factor in maintaining cultural diversity in the face of growing globalization. An understanding of the intangible cultural heritage of different communities helps with intercultural dialogue, and encourages mutual respect for other ways of life."

12. There are festivals called comparsas

Comparsas are festivals or parades in Latin America, and many spectacular ones abound for Day of the Dead that include costumes, and music, food and revelry. Check out VisitMexico.org for a list of celebrations and comparsas.

13. Day of the Dead is not the same as Halloween

Although they take place back to back, and both have skull and death elements, they are not at all the same thing. As stated above, Day of the Dead takes place over two days, centers on honoring the dead and has roots in ancient Mexico, making it different and distinct from Halloween.

14. Disney tried to trademark "Dia de los Muertos"

Back in 2013, Disney filed a claim to patent "Día de los Muertos,” or “Day of the Dead,” according to CNN. This was apparently to protect the rights to the movie Coco, which was originally thought to be named "Day of the Dead." But after severe backlash from the Mexican and Latine community, Disney withdrew the claim.

15. Coco won at the Oscars

Speaking of the Disney movie, Coco, it won many awards upon its release in 2017, including Best Animated Feature Film and Best Song for "Remember Me" at the 2018 Academy Awards.

Next up, learn everything you need to know about ofrendas during Día de los Muertos.