The Day of the Dead is much more than the return of souls, but also the process to the afterlife. As the body disintegrates, the spirit dances free to live in eternity. At the end of life, Mictlán awaits, that place of eternal rest for loved ones who have left the physical plane. This day of the dead we remember Mictlán, the ancient underworld that received the souls of Mexican ancestors.
The Mexica worldview saw Mictlán as a lower level than the Earth, as that place that, according to Bernardino de Sahagún, was dangerous and gloomy. Many stories are told about this underworld, but none are as fascinating as those of the ancient civilizations themselves.
Ogonek
The legend of the Mexican underworld
He was full of obstacles and trials for the ancestral souls. Divided into nine vertical and descending levels, the Mexica’s journey to the underworld could last up to four years.
Any soul is welcome on this journey, after all death does not discriminate by age or wealth. Mictlán offered souls a walk through the nine dimensions in which they had to prove that their spirit was indestructible.
The entire process towards the underworld simulates a calculation of time. In each dimension awaits a lord of the day and another of the night, in total there are 18 that multiplied by 20 result in 360 days of the year; plus the five cosmic points: earth, air, fire and sun. In total, we have 365 days a year.
Once the entire cycle of time is passed, the lord of the dead Mictlantecuhtli welcomes the souls to bring them joy and an eternal beginning. However, before getting there each deceased had to undertake the journey to the nine levels of the ancient underworld.
Day of the Dead, the nine levels of Mictlán:
First level: Chiconahuapan
Better known as the “place of dogs”, this first level asked the soul to cross the river of hell. However, he could only achieve this with the help of a brown dog: the xoloitzcuintle. The deceased had with him a red-haired dog on a leash to pass this first test, since he was the only dog that would agree to accompany him at the crossing.
Second level: Tepectli Monamictlan
Recognized as the level where the hills come together, it is said that here the souls faced two hills that opened and closed. Continuously colliding with each other, the deceased had to find the exact moment to pass without being trapped between the two large rocks.
Third level: Iztepetl
To get over the third floor it was necessary to climb. Large hills rose in front of the deceased, but it was even more complicated because the mountains were full of sharp rocks that could hurt the soul.
Fourth level: Itzehecayan
Known as the Place of the Obsidian Wind, the fourth level was a place described as desolate and filled with ice. This area was reached after climbing the mountains of the third level and represented a place where the ice did not stop falling.
Fifth level: Paniecatacoyan
After crossing the hill of Itzehecayan, the soul found itself in a place where gravity is lost and great winds carry everything away. It is at this level where the deceased could decide to free himself and move to the next level or cling to the ground.
Sixth level: Timiminaloayan
After being freed a great path had to be crossed. During the journey, sharp arrows crossed the path of the souls and could cause several wounds. It is said that those arrows or bolts were the lost battles of the earthly plane.
Seventh level: Teocoyohuehualoyan
The lord of the jaguars, Tepeyóllotl, is found on this level. Releasing wild felines to devour the hearts of those deceased travelers. The ultimate test at this level was to let your heart be eaten, as this is the price to advance to the next level.
Eighth level: Izmictlan Apochcalolca
The black water river known as Apanohuacalhuia flowed into this level. Each time he had to cross the river and avoid drowning, which could only be achieved if he completely stripped himself of his body so that his soul would be free.
Ninth level: Chicunamictlan
Where the waters of the river flowed, the ninth level began. On this journey, the soul of the deceased was finally freed from the sufferings of the body by the gods Mictlantecuhtli and Mictecacihuatl, who represent the feminine and masculine essence.
At the end of the last level, the soul had to deliver to Mictlantecuhtli the tributes with which it had been buried. Once the task was completed, the soul reached the end of Mictlán and the reunion with ancestors and eternal peace.
Along with Mictlán, the Day of the Dead has become a celebration of the magic of death. The transcendence of the soul and the arrival to another plane that gives us eternal happiness. Currently, both the ancient trip to Mictlán and the modern version of the Day of the Dead are celebrated with offerings. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to connect with the universe of the deceased and pay tribute to what is valuable in the soul.