Mexico welcomes their dead ancestors with marigolds, and skulls…

Dia De Los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) in Mexico and Latin America is to celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed away.

More on the Day of the Dead by Somewhere in the world today…

Chichén Itzá is amongst the greatest surviving monuments of the Mayan civilisation. During the Spring and Autumn equinoxes, thousands gather to witness a phenomenon of light and shadow on the steps of of El Castillo pyramid. The shadow of the ‘plumed serpent’ of light descending the steps is said to be the ancient ‘serpent’, Kukulkan, making his way to the well of sacrifice nearby.

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Picture: Snake of light seen on the Great Pyramid of Kukulkan in Chichen Itza at autumn equinox by Richard Barnett, on Flickr

Every September there are magnificent processions on the Island of Cozumel, Mexico, in honour of their patron Saint, Saint Michael the Archangel (San Miguel Arcangel).

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San Miguel Arcangel Parade 9/29 by L_Stingelin, on Flickr

Viva Mexico!

In the early hours of 16th September 1810, Father Miguel, a priest in the small town of Dolores, Guanajuato, rang the church bell to gather the townspeople and call for them to rise up against the Spanish Crown. This event was the start of Mexico’s War of Independence and is commemorated every year in town squares across Mexico when crowds gather to shout “Viva Mexico!”

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Picture: Viva Mexico by molossoidea, on Flickr

Dark legends of beautiful Princesses in Mexico.

A massive cultural event in the Mexican festival calendar, La Guelaguetza combines two old colonial festivals – the Festival of the Virgin del Carmen Alto and Mondays on the Hill (Los Lunes del Cerro). This cornerstone of Mexican festivities involves re-enactments of legends such as the legend of Princess Donají, daughter of the Zapotecan King Cosijoeza.

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Picture: Guelaguetza-6014 by Jacobo Zanella, on Flickr

Prepare for a pretty explosive Easter in Mexico…

The Holy Week celebrations in the beautiful colonial town of San Miguel de Allende actually involve at least two full weeks of parades, processions, parties, prayers and pageantry including the blowing up of a papier-maché Judas and a dramatic rendition of Christ’s suffering on the Cross.

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Picture by Vilhelm Sjostrom, on Flickr

A magical night in a mystical town…

Every March the town of Catemaco in Mexico, springs to life as witches, shaymen, healers and fortune tellers gather from all over Mexico for the annual Noche de Brujas (Night of the witches), a legendary all-night festival, during which a mass cleansing takes place to alleviate the previous year’s negative energies.

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Picture: tienda de bruja by jade.cantwell, on Flickr

Mexico welcomes their dead ancestors with marigolds, and skulls…

Dia De Los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) in Mexico and Latin America is to celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed away. It’s a time of prayer & communicating with the dead but also a time to celebrate your life. Traditions include building an altar to loved ones adorned with sugar skulls, tall candles, Marigold flowers, enjoying a feast of their favourite food and visiting graves with these as gifts.

More on Day of the Dead by Somewhere in the world today…

Watch as Kukulkan, the snake of light descends the steps of Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá is amongst the greatest surviving monuments of the Mayan civilisation. During the Spring and Autumn equinoxes, thousands gather to witness a phenomenon of light and shadow on the steps of of El Castillo pyramid. The shadow of the ‘plumed serpent’ of light descending the steps is said to be the ancient ‘serpent’, Kukulkan, making his way to the well of sacrifice nearby.

More on Spring & Autumn Equinox by Somewhere in the world today…

The island of Cozumel in Mexico honours its patron saint (Saint Michael the  Archangel) with colourful parades and masses. Locals dress in traditional Mayan costume, and the fishermen carry an image of the saint into the ocean surrounded by locals throwing flowers into the sea.

More on the Fiesta of Saint Michael the Archangel by Somewhere in the world today…