Dia De Los Muertos Mural

 

As I was heading to the train one morning in East Harlem, I came across a very interesting mural that caught my attention. This specific mural is located directly next to the 116^th street 3^rd Ave 203E building on wood which is covering a metal gate. This mural had a drawing of a sugar skull, a pumpkin, two crows, a graveyard with tombstones, leafless tress and most importantly it had marigolds as the center piece. Observing the mural it had an eerie type of feel to it. The colors were not so bright and uplifting, but instead the colors are seen to be pretty dark and heavy.

After examining this mural, I was immediately reminded that I have seen specific symbolisms represented in these drawings somewhere else. I remember seeing this once when I was in Mexico and my Catholic family from there celebrate El Dia De Los Muertos which translates The Day of the Dead. I’m Mexican American and recognized this is well celebrated tradition because of the traditional marigolds which are seen to be the most symbolic flower for this day. They’re supposed to be place at the entrance of an individual’s home leading up to the alter family members create for their deceased loved ones.  There are many other key factors that play a big role within this celebration such as food. In Mexico, families gather together on November 1^st and 2^nd to go to visit the loved one’s tombstone and place special objects there to signify their remembrances. It is believed that one November 1^st children and teenagers are the spirits that roam around the earth that day, and on November 2^nd it is the adults and elderly’s turn to gather with their loved ones here on earth.

Not only is this a mural, but this is also something individuals actually used to practice this tradition of the Day of the Dead. Next to the big display of Marigolds which are actually made out of gift wrapping tissue it says in small print: “OFRENDA DE DIA DE MUERTOS NO TOCAR GRACIAS”, which means “this is an offering for the Day of the Dead don’t touch thanks”. Since there really isn’t a graveyard around East Harlem and the neighborhood is surrounded by the Latinos, it is best interpreted that the mural is a representation of loved ones who aren’t with one here specifically in the United States, but instead it is seen as tribute to family members from all across the globe. The tradition still remains strong regardless of one’s location.

Lastly, his mural reminds me of the reading for my theology class by Joshua Liebman whom focuses on the idea of death overall. Liebman emphasizes the point that one shouldn’t be afraid of death overall because the concept of death isn’t something supposed to be something scary per se, but instead death is supposed to be seen as our friend. The message one can take away from celebrating the Day of the Dead is very similar to that of Liebman. Death will come to every single individual, but what one should do is not fear it at all because overall that is the circle of life and we will all go through it eventually. One should live their life to the fullest day by day and treasure the loved ones that are gone, but also the ones that are currently still with you here.