Día de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a vibrant Mexican celebration that honours deceased loved ones. The Disney movie Coco highlighted the importance of this celebration for people of Mexican heritage and increased its awareness across the globe.
Despite its proximity to Halloween, Día de Muertos is quite a different celebration. It takes place on November 1st and 2nd, coinciding with the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Families create altars, or ofrendas, adorned with photographs, favourite foods, and personal items of the departed, inviting their spirits to return for a joyful reunion. The celebration is not one of mourning but rather a festive remembrance, filled with colour, music, and communal activities.
The rich symbolism of Día de Muertos includes the marigold flower which is believed to guide the spirits home with their vibrant colours and scent. Sugar skulls, intricately decorated, serve as reminders of the sweetness of life, while traditional foods like pan de muerto (a special bread) are prepared to honour the deceased. Parades, street festivals, and family gatherings transform cemeteries into lively places where people share stories, laughter, and memories, celebrating the lives of those who have passed away in a heartfelt, joyous manner.
Día de Muertos colouring pages
To introduce Día de Muertos to your child (or to build on their knowledge from Coco), we have four colouring pages along with an example of the bright and contrasting colours that are used in this celebration.
What you need:
- a printer
- markers, pencils, or crayons
Click on either image to download the PDF of all four colouring pages and the example.
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