Día de los muertos: why on October 27th Mexicans pay homage to pets who are no longer with us

There is a particular time of the year when the spirits of ancestors can exceptionally return to Earth to greet their loved ones. In Mexico that long-awaited moment falls on the first two days of November, when the famous Día de Los Muertos is celebrated, a colorful syncretic tradition of pre-Columbian origins, which has gained international popularity following the release of that little great masterpiece that is “Coco “.

We were saying that the celebrations are mainly celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, but souls land in the world of the living starting from October 27th and every day, from that moment on, new ones arrive.

It is said that October 28th is dedicated to the souls of people who have had a tragic death, the 29th to those who have drowned, October 30th to those who have been forgotten or have no family, the 31st to beings who have never been born or who have in limbo. Also on the 30th and 31st, the souls of unbaptized children arrive.

The 27th is the pets daywhich over the years has acquired more and more importance, so much so that a constantly growing number of Mexicans dedicate a space to them in theofrenda to the deceased, as we have already explained to you in this article.

@roachzillaa

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♬ Recuérdame (Reencuentro) – Luis Ángel Gómez Jaramillo & Rocío Garcel

To welcome them, they place their photos (or drawings) on the altars, place their favorite foods and water next to them to quench their thirst, but also toys to keep them entertained, inviting snacks, candles to guide them on the return journey. Alongside these elements we often find the traditional ones picado papersymbolizing air, i cempasúchiltypical flowers of the occasion whose scent guides the souls of the deceased, incense and pan de muerto.

@mag.medih

Querian quedarase aqui otro rato mas 🥺❤️‍🩹🪽 #diademuertos2023 #diademuertostradicionmexicana #diademuertosmascotas

♬ sonido original – animadas

But if the tradition of honoring animals on October 27th is recent, Mexicans’ bond with one of the pets par excellence is much older: the dog. So much so that it is the Mexican naked dog, known by the name of Xōlōitzcuintle or xolo, believed to be a manifestation of the god Xolotl. It is no coincidence that he appears in the animated film “Coco”.

According to ancient Aztec myths no soul could cross the first level of the Mictlan, callto Itzcuintlan or Āpanōhuayān, without being guided by the Xōlōitzcuintle. However, anyone who had mistreated this or other animals in life was not worthy of receiving help and was therefore destined to wander the banks of the river Chiconahuapan for eternity.

SOURCES: Record/arqueologiamexicana/mxc