Scary autumn days
Author: Magdalena Kořínková
At the turn of October and November, people worldwide celebrate the day of the deceased. In Anglo-Saxon countries, it’s Halloween; in our country, it’s All Souls' Day; in Mexico, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead); and in Japan, Obon.
While for us these are days of silence, calm, and reflection, other regions have different customs. Let’s explore the traditions and symbols associated with honouring the deceased during this time.
One Czech folk belief says that on 1st November, the eve of All Souls' Day, souls rise from Purgatory to take a break from their suffering. To prevent them from getting lost, we should light a candle and place it in a window to help guide the souls of the deceased back. A lit candle is undoubtedly a key part of honouring the deceased. The tradition of lighting candles and fires dates back to the ancient Celts and Slavs, who attributed purifying power to fire, a reminder of eternal life, and protection against evil spirits to light.
Another symbol is the flower placed on the grave – if it's a real one, it represents renewal and belief in eternal life.
Mexican Día de los Muertos
Dance, song, food, colours, and lots of fun – all directly at the cemetery every year from 31st October to 2nd November. Mexicans place items their beloved deceased enjoyed on the graves, believing that during these days, those who have left the world of the living join the celebration and joy. It's no surprise that Día de los Muertos is the most beloved and significant holiday in Mexico.
Everywhere you look, you see symbols of death – primarily skulls and skeletons. The symbol of Mexico's Day of the Dead is the skeleton figure "Catrina," named after a drawing by the famous Mexican artist and caricaturist José Guadalupe Posada, La Calavera Catrina (translated as Elegant Skull). These figures often wear colourful clothing and hats, smiling as much as skeletons possibly can.
Skeleton caricatures are made from various materials. Those available in our selection are crafted from polished bone, light exotic wood, and polished wood.
Fires and Lanterns in Japan
In Japan, the Day of the Dead is celebrated over three days with the traditional Buddhist festival of Obon. The Japanese believe that during this period, the souls of the deceased can visit their living relatives. However, unlike elsewhere, the dead are celebrated in July or August, depending on the region and the local calendar year. Traditional bon-odori dances are performed in parks and temples, paper lanterns are lit and floated down rivers, and the celebrations culminate with large bonfires, which help guide the souls of the deceased back to the world of the dead.
Orange Everywhere
Pumpkin lanterns that ward off evil spirits and protect homes, costumes, masks, spooky stories... in Anglo-Saxon countries, Halloween is one of the most popular holidays. The colours black and orange symbolise Halloween: orange for the autumn harvest and black for darkness and death. Other symbols include the witch's pet cat, the cross, and the spider. They say that if you see a spider on Halloween, it means a loved one is watching over you.
If you love the spooky autumn atmosphere, you're surely picking out the perfect decorations. Pumpkins, candlesticks, cats, skulls, skeletons, and even old photographs or dolls can help set the perfect spooky atmosphere. Porcelain dolls, which were (and still often are) indistinguishable from real children, have inspired many horror films. And frankly, it's understandable…
