The Mexican festival, Día de los Muertos, is the most important celebration in Mexico 's yearly cycle. Though many cultures recognize Todos Santos (All Saints- which is another name for Día de los Muertos) the intensity of Mexico 's devout rituals and customs practiced on this holiday cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The passionate devotion shown on this holiday surpasses that shown on Christmas and Easter. The reason Mexicans regard this holiday so highly is because the souls of the dead which they are honoring are believed to mediate with God. “The dead attain a semi-divine status in the folk-Catholicism of Mexico . As intermediaries they can intervene on behalf of the living, either with the Christian God, or as among other Indian groups, with divinities that have their origin in pre-Historic religion” (Carmichael and Sayer 1991c:14). The syncretism here is apparent; the Mexicans are mixing their pre-Hispanic and Roman Catholic rituals. Many Mexicans are fascinated by thoughts of interacting with God and heavenly spirits, therefore they continue their traditions and express their loyalty through generous ofrendas each year (Carmichael and Sayer 1991c:14).

Día de los Muertos is considered a big family reunion; a reunion of all of the members of a family, both living and deceased. When the living family members reunite with their deceased relatives, the deceased become alive again, if only for a few hours each year. In acknowledging their dearly departed as living, fear of death is eased, and the true meaning of the holiday becomes clear. This celebration, by refreshing the celebrating community's oldest traditions, provides unity for “a group that daily is in greater need of more cohesion and more elements against the forces of disintegration that threaten it” (Ochoa Zazueta 1974c:8). The country of Mexico deals with issues of poverty and crime on a regular basis, so having a unifying holiday centered on the importance of family is important because it exemplifies communitas.

Día de los Muertos is a multifaceted holiday, with many varying customs and beliefs. One common belief is that the celebration of Día de los Muertos plays a significant role in determining the outcome of the following year. Caring for the dead and providing them with abundant offerings is important; the result is a smooth year of good health and economic stability. Caring for the dead displays the family's belief that the dead are still a part of their unbroken family. If the dead are mistreated or neglected, repercussions such as financial problems and bad karma will arise over the year (Garcíagodoy 1998:c3). The way Mexicans view Día de los Muertos is similar to how people in the United States view Groundhog's Day. Every February 2 nd , the groundhog comes out of his hole in the ground after a long winter's sleep to partake in this popular United States tradition. If the groundhog sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter are on the way. If he does not, spring will come soon and the groundhog will stay above ground (Groundhog Day History - Electronic Document). Similar to how North Americans utilize Groundhog's Day to forecast the following days to come, many Mexicans base predictions of their stability and prosperity for the following year on Día de los Muertos.

To typify the respect shown to the deceased on this holiday, and to express the importance of their return, families prepare their homes as though living dinner guests would be coming. In preparing for the arrival of the dead, many families clear the chosen room of the house of its everyday furnishings in order to make room for the elaborate ofrenda. Also, a wash basin and a hand towel are laid out so that the dead can freshen up before feasting. Upon completion of the dinner feast, the souls of the dead adults are offered cigarettes for after dinner delight, and children are offered sweets and candy. A popular tradition done for the children is to place brightly colored sugar skulls with each child's name on it, on the altar. Though they are made out of sugar, they are not to be eaten because they are religious items (A Sweet Tradition- Electronic Document). The house of the celebratory family will smell of copal, and many burning candles are lit to help guide the spirits toward the feast (Mexican Tradition - Day of the Dead, All Saints Day - Dia de los Muertos- Electronic Document). To an onlooker unfamiliar to the traditions of Mexico and the importance of this holiday, these preparations may appear to be arrangements for normal dinner guests.

For as long as it has been practiced, Día de los Muertos has primarily been an honorary time for the deceased; a time for families to celebrate the death of their loved ones by constructing ofrendas and attending Roman Catholic church mass on November 1 st in honor of all the saints, and November 2 nd , in honor of the souls in purgatory. Though parish priests are required to recite mass on these days, may observers would agree that mass is the least important aspect of this celebration (JSTOR: Journal of American Folklore- Electronic Document). Coming into awareness recently has been the holiday's shift into a more political celebration. The celebration is linked to Mexico and Mexican national identity. Día de los Muertos helps create an elucidation of the world in which Mexico is unique from the two powerful countries that have influenced and partially controlled it through its entire history: Spain and the United States (JSTOR: Journal of American Folklore). Though other cultures celebrate All Saint's Day and some North and Central Americans partake in the Día de los Muertos celebration, the customs and traditions that take place on this holiday are recognized globally as characteristic of Mexico . This holiday is very important in defining Mexico 's values to the rest of the world; Día de los Muertos represents love for family and respect for the deceased. Mexico is one of the few cultures that can recognize death and celebrate it in an optimistic light (The Days of The Dead- Electronic Document).