Scary Supernatural or Celebration of Life - A Holiday Conflict
Learn how Halloween's spooky roots differ from Día de los Muertos’ celebration of life and death.
Halloween used to scare the living daylights out of me when I was a kid. I begged my parents to let me stay home with them and hand out the treats. (To no avail, I might add.)
It’s that time of year again—when we start seeing ghosts, goblins, and skeletons everywhere. The kids (and even some adults) are all decked out in their costumes and trick-or-treating.
But this morning, something caught my attention as I listened to the news. Día de los Muertos is right around the corner. It’s so close to Halloween that I couldn’t help but wonder—are these two holidays connected?
I mean, after all, they fall within days of each other. Halloween and Día de los Muertos share similar themes of death and the afterlife. But upon closer inspection, I uncovered a difference.
They couldn’t be more different in their origins, meanings, and how we celebrate them. If you’ve ever been curious about the connection—or if you love both holidays—let’s dive into their fascinating histories.
The origins of the two holidays
Halloween
You’d have to go way back in history to discover the roots of Halloween. This popular holiday originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain thousands of years ago by the Celtics. Halloween was originally known as All Hallows Eve, the night before All Saints Day, a Christian holiday.
Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the Celtic New Year. But more significantly, it signaled the beginning of winter…
And death.
Halloween has deep roots in both pagan and Christian traditions. The Bible doesn’t mention Halloween by name. However, it’s interesting that the Scriptures warn Christians not to practice pagan practices.
But as the years went by, Halloween evolved into a more modern celebration, moving away from its focus on the thinning barrier between the living and the dead to a festival filled with costumes, treats, and eerie tales.
Celebrated on October 31st, it was believed to be a time when the barrier between the living and dead was thin, allowing spirits to roam the earth. I just knew those spirits were coming for me when I was very young.
Día de los Muertos
In contrast, Día de los Muertos is primarily celebrated in Mexico and dates back to indigenous cultures such as the Aztecs and other tribes. The Aztecs would hold month-long festivals to honor their deceased ancestors.
After Spanish colonization, these traditions merged with Catholic holidays, including All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, and the holiday evolved into the celebration we know today.
Themes of Death
Halloween
Halloween revolves around fear and the supernatural. The focus is on ghost stories, haunted houses, ghosts in the graveyards, and dressing up as God only knows what. It has become a highly commercialized holiday centered on costumes, candy, and spookiness.
Día de los Muertos
Conversely, Día de los Muertos is a joyful celebration of life and death. Rather than fearing the dead, families welcome the spirits of their loved ones back into their homes with colorful altars, marigold flowers, and offerings (ofrendas).
It's a time of remembrance, love, and connection with ancestors. However, this does not mean they celebrate their loved ones only on this holiday.
Symbols and Celebration
Halloween
On October 31st, you’ll see jack-o’-lanterns, witches, skeletons, and trick-or-treaters everywhere. People celebrate by going door-to-door for candy, decorating their homes with spooky themes, and attending costume parties.
While Halloween has seen its share of modern-day scares, it remains a lighthearted night of costumes and fun for most.
Día de los Muertos
Right after Halloween is Día de los Muertos. Celebrated from November 1st to November 2nd, Día de los Muertos involves building altars to honor the dead. The altar is candlelit so spirits can find their way to their relatives for the two-day festival.
Along with food, in case the spirits get hungry, you might see water, photos of family members, and favorite possessions like a book or musical instrument they loved when they were here on earth.
Oh, and colorful fake skulls are everywhere. The festivities are adorned with life-size skulls, and the skeletons are caught doing a wide assortment of poses like playing the guitar, taking a bath, or making tortillas. After reflecting on life at the altar, everyone heads off to the graveyards to continue the celebration.
The festivities continue with vibrant music, singing, and partying. The amount of food is astonishing. Some people can be seen cleaning tombstones and talking to their ancestors.
It’s party time!
Are Halloween and Día de los Muertos connected?
While Halloween and Día de los Muertos happen around the same time, and both deal with the subject of death, they are not directly connected. Halloween focuses on the spooky, eerie aspects of death and the supernatural, while Día de los Muertos celebrates death as a natural part of life.
It’s a time for honoring rather than fearing. Both holidays have long histories, influenced by various cultures and religions, but their core meanings are different.
Conclusion
Though Halloween and Día de los Muertos mark the turning of the season and a connection to the afterlife, they each bring unique perspectives on death. Halloween leans into the thrill of fear and the unknown, while Día de los Muertos reminds us that death is not to be feared but celebrated as a continuation of life.
Whether you prefer the spookiness of Halloween or the vibrant traditions of Día de los Muertos, both holidays offer a fascinating look at how we interact with death and different cultures.
How does your family celebrate the end of October into the beginning of November? How do you and your family find meaning at this time of year? Please share in the comments. I would love to hear about your traditions.
Actually, Samhain is the feast of the dead as well. This is the time when the veil between the living and the dead is thin. On Samhain, we honor those who have crossed.
Thanks Pam - super interesting comparison! I have never been a fan of Halloween.🎃
We never celebrated it in SA (although they do now). Since we came to Canada my kids have always loved it. Now my older kids really get into it with my grandkids. A time of dress up and fun times with family and friends.