The Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) is a Mexican holiday that is celebrate over several days in the beginning of November. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to remember and pray for those friends and family who have died and to help them on their spiritual journey.
The holiday melded indigenous observances with the Christian All Saints (Nov 1st) and All Souls days (Nov 2nd). November 1st is generally referred to as Día de los Inocentes ("Day of the Innocents") or Día de los Angelitos ("Day of the Little Angels"). November 2nd is referred to as Día de los Muertos or Día de los Difuntos ("Day of the Dead"). Originally celebrated in southern and central Mexico, it is now celebrated throughout the country as the Mexican government made it a national holiday. It is also celebrated in parts of Central America and in the United States.
As part of the holiday, families will clean and decorate grave sites. Offerings are brought to help the departed along on their journey. Flowers such as the Mexican marigold (Flor de Muerto) are brought. Flowers are thought to attract souls of the dead to the offerings. For children toys might be brought. Additionally candies, food or favorite beverages might be offered.
Some families create small shrines in their homes. These shrines will feature Christian crosses and statues to the Virgin Mary, pictures of the deceased and similar offerings as at cemeteries with flowers, candies and favorite beverages. Families and friends with gather and tell stories of the departed. Skulls and skeletons are popular motifs of this holiday. Traditions are not universal and different regions and cities will have their own unique ways they mark and celebrate this holiday.
What's the tie in with custom etched wine bottles? Nothing really, other than we think the skull motif is really, really cool. Who doesn't like skulls, right? So we custom decorated a wine bottle in observance of Día de Muertos. Perhaps a custom etched bottle could be made as an offering for a dearly departed?
