Home Our Cultura History Exploring the Path to Mictlán and Its Underworld Origins in ‘Día de Muertos’ Traditions 

Exploring the Path to Mictlán and Its Underworld Origins in ‘Día de Muertos’ Traditions 

The Day of the Dead, celebrated on November 1 and 2, is one of Mexico’s most revered traditions, steeped in history and symbolism. Central to this commemoration is the altar, a vibrant and intricate display created in honor of loved ones who have passed. However, behind the flowers, candles, and offerings lies a profound concept that shapes this ritual: the Mictlán, a term often associated with the underworld. 

Understanding Mictlán

In Nahuatl, the word “Mictlán” translates to “place of the dead” or, more starkly, “hell.” But for the ancient Mexica, it represented something far deeper, a destination that all souls would ultimately reach, a place described as “the house of darkness.” The Mictlán was believed to consist of nine distinct levels, each filled with trials and challenges that the soul would need to overcome to find peace. However, it wasn’t the only destination in the afterlife; those who met specific fates, such as drowning, were believed to be carried to Tlalocan, the paradise overseen by Tláloc, the god of rain. 

To enter the Mictlán, the soul had to cross a river, accompanied by a brown dog—not white or black — who acted as its guide through the unknown. For the Mexica and other pre-Columbian civilizations, death was cyclical, a natural transition managed by the creator gods Xipetótec, Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcóatl, and Huitzilopochtli. 

The altar itself mirrors this philosophy, bridging the earthly and spiritual realms. Each tier of the altar symbolizes stages on this journey. The most elaborate altars, with seven levels, reflect the seven types of death in pre-Hispanic cosmology. After colonization, the church adopted these seven levels to signify the seven deadly sins, blending Indigenous beliefs with Catholic doctrine. 

It’s a Journey

The mythological journey through Mictlán required the deceased to traverse nine stages, facing challenges and guardians along the way, such as alebrijes — spirit guides — and the god Xólotl, protector of souls. Ultimately, they would meet Mictlantecuhtli and Mictecacihuatl, the lord and lady of the underworld, before finally reaching eternal rest. 

This cyclical view of life and death, shared by nobles and commoners alike, remains a fundamental element of the Day of the Dead. For modern Mexicans, honoring these beliefs through altars, offerings, and vivid displays of remembrance ensures that the ancient wisdom of Mictlán endures, a reminder that death is not an end but a journey to a new existence.

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