Scenes from Clemson’s Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos celebration

byDenise Attaway

November 5, 2018

Clemson celebrates its first Day of the Dead ceremony.

Clemson celebrates its first Day of the Dead ceremony.

Clemson celebrates its first Day of the Dead ceremony.

CLEMSON – Hundreds of people came to the S.C. Botanical Garden’s first-ever Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, celebration held Nov. 2. Day of the Dead is a traditional Latin American holiday when people celebrate and honor loved ones who have passed away.

"Diversity is great, but in the end, we're all family" - a quote Julio Hernandez, associate director for Clemson Hispanic Outreach program, remembers hearing from his grandfather who lived in Mexico. — “Diversity is great, but in the end, we’re all family” – a quote Julio Hernandez, associate director for the Clemson Hispanic Outreach program, remembers hearing from his grandfather who lived in Mexico.

Patrick McMillan, director of the S.C. Botanical Garden, talks about the connection between poinsettias, South Carolina and Mexico.

Mexican Consul General Remedios Gomez Arnau talks about the importance of the Day of the Dead celebration. — Mexican Consul General Remedios Gomez Arnau talks about the significance of the Day of the Dead celebration.

Skylar Lecroy and Melanie Garza came from Walhalla to participate in Clemson's first-ever Day of the Dead celebration. — Skylar Lecroy and Melanie Garza came from Walhalla to participate in Clemson’s first-ever Day of the Dead celebration.

Giovanna Gomez, who came to Greenville from Colombia, helps create flower arches for the altars.

The Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a traditional Latin American holiday when people celebrate and honor loved ones who have passed away.

La Catrina, a popular icon of death in Mexico, has become a symbol of Dia de los Muertos and the Mexicans' willingness to laugh at death. — La Catrina, a popular icon of death in Mexico, has become a symbol of Dia de los Muertos and the Mexicans’ willingness to laugh at death.

Hundreds of people came to the South Carolina Botanical Garden to celebrate the garden's first-ever Day of the Dead celebration on Nov. 2. — Hundreds of people come to the South Carolina Botanical Garden to celebrate the garden’s first-ever Day of the Dead celebration on Nov. 2.

Food and other items are set up on altars to provide spirits with items they will need on their journey through the afterlife.

A massive altar is set up so that the pubic can display pictures, food and favorite mementos from their deceased loved ones.

The cempazuchitl, Mexican marigold, is believed to attract souls of the dead to — The cempazuchitl, Mexican marigold, is believed to attract souls of the dead to offerings set up on altars during Day of the Dead celebrations.

Poinsettias, native to Mexico, and cempazuchitl, Mexican marigolds, decorate the S.C. Botanical Garden.

The Day of the Dead celebration gave people an opportunity to mingle and reflect on loved ones who have passed away. — The Day of the Dead celebration gives people an opportunity to mingle and reflect on loved ones who have passed away.

Altars are the most prominent feature in Day of the Dead celebrations because the altars show dead souls the way to their homes. — Altars are the most prominent feature in Day of the Dead celebrations because the altars are believed to show dead souls the way to their homes.

Participants in Clemson's first-ever Day of the Dead celebration line up at this food truck for Mexican foods such as tamales. — Participants enjoy Mexican food sold from a food truck and a food tent during Clemson’s first-ever Day of the Dead celebration.

These ladies enjoy food they bought from the food truck and food tent during Clemson's first-ever Day of the Dead celebration. — These ladies enjoy food they bought from the food truck and food tent during Clemson’s first-ever Day of the Dead celebration.

Items placed on Day of the Dead altars include pictures of deceased loved ones, Day of the Day bread, candy skulls, homemade candies, tamales, fruit, candles and spirited drinks.

La Catrina, a popular icon of death in Mexico, presides over the altar at the Day of the Dead celebration.

Several guests during Clemson's first-ever Day of the Dead celebration dressed as La Catrina, Mexico's Grand Dame of the Dead. — Several guests during Clemson’s first-ever Day of the Dead celebration dressed as La Catrina, Mexico’s Grand Dame of the Dead.

A guest dressed as La Catrina, Mexico’s Grand Dame of the Dead, talks with a young girl during Clemson’s first-ever Day of the Dead celebration.

This painting sits on the main altar at Clemson's first-ever Day of the Dead celebration. — This painting sits on the main altar at Clemson’s first-ever Day of the Dead celebration.

Guests watch the Disney Pixar film "Coco" during Clemson's first-ever Day of the Dead celebration. — Guests watch the Disney Pixar film “Coco” during Clemson’s first-ever Day of the Dead celebration.

Colors that appear on Day of the Dead altars have different meanings. Purple signifies pain, suffering, grief and mourning; pink signifies celebration, while white signifies purity and hope. Orange is for the sun, red symbolizes the blood of lie and yellow is for the Mexican marigolds that symbolize death. — Colors that appear on Day of the Dead altars have different meanings. Purple signifies pain, suffering, grief and mourning; pink signifies celebration, while white signifies purity and hope. Orange is for the sun, red symbolizes the blood of life and yellow is for the Mexican marigolds that symbolize loved ones who have died.

This sign explains history behind the Day of the Dead celebration. — This sign explains the history of the Day of the Dead celebration.

Sugar skulls are used during Day of the Dead celebrations as a representation that death is simply a continuation of the life cycle. — Skulls are used during Day of the Dead celebrations as a representation that death is simply a continuation of the life cycle.

With its bright petals and strong scent, the cempazuchitl, Mexican marigold, is believed to guide souls from cemeteries to their family homes.

byDenise Attaway

Published November 05, 2018

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