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英语外刊必读-传统节日话题
Mexico's Dia De Los Muertos Honors the Dead
P1【原文畅读】
Mexico's Dia De Los Muertos Honors the Dead
@DOGOnews
The Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a vibrant and colorful celebration of life and death and an important part of Mexican culture. The annual holiday, held from November 1st to November 2nd, offers a unique opportunity to remember and honor loved ones who have passed away.
History and origin
The holiday’s roots go back thousands of years to the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica, including the Aztecs and the Maya. The area comprises modern-day countries of northern Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize, and central to southern Mexico.
The ancient civilizations believed death was a natural part of the cycle of life. They celebrated the occasion for a month with elaborate burial ceremonies and shrines. _______________________________. Over time, the two cultures blended, giving rise to the Day of the Dead as it is known today.
Altars
___________________________________. Each has a symbolic significance. Fragrant marigold flowers are used to guide the deceased's spirits to the altar. A sweet Mexican bread, known as Pan de muerto ("Bread of the Dead”), along with jugs of water help feed and quench the thirst of the returning souls. Candles and incense represent the element of fire, while colorful, pierced paper banners signify the wind.
Skeletons and skulls
The most familiar symbols of the holiday are the calacas and calaveras — skeletons and skulls. They appear on everything — from candied sweets to clothing, masks, and decorations. The brightly-colored smiling skulls serve as a reminder that the holiday is a celebration of the life of loved ones who are no longer with us. _____________________________
Celebrations
The festivities begin at midnight on November 1st. It is believed that this is when the border between the living world and the spirit world dissolves. ____________________________
Families visit the graves of their ancestors, cleaning and decorating them with flowers and candles. They bring food and drink to share with the spirits. Many even spend the night in the cemetery. The celebrations also include parades, music, dancing, and feasting.
P2【词汇短语】
vibrant adj. 生气勃勃的 altar n. 祭坛，圣坛
pass away 去世 significance n. 重要性
indigenous adj. 本土的 fragrant adj. 芳香的
Mesoamerica n. 中美洲 marigold n. 金盏花
comprise v. 包含 quench v. 解 (渴)
elaborate adj. 设计繁丽的 incense n. 祭祀时用的香
burial n. 埋葬；葬礼 signify v. 表示; 意味着
shrine n. 圣地; 神龛 reminder n. 提醒人记忆之物
conquer v. 占领；攻克 festive adj. 喜庆的
commemorate v. 纪念 dissolve v. 消失
blend v. 混合 spirit n. 灵魂
deceased adj. 已故的 cemetery n. 墓地
P3【阅读理解综合练习】
将下列句子补充到文章适当的位置
A. Families welcome their deceased loved ones with colorful altars, or ofrendas, decorated with various items.
B. This allows deceased loved ones to cross over and join their families.
C. It is a festive, not a sad event.
D. When the Spanish conquered the regions in the 16th century, they introduced All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day to commemorate the dead.
填入适当连接词—从句练习
1. It is believed ______ this is ______ the border between the living world and the spirit world dissolves.
2. The annual holiday, held from November 1st to November 2nd, offers a unique opportunity to remember and honor loved ones ______ have passed away.
3. The brightly-colored smiling skulls serve as a reminder ______ the holiday is a celebration of the life of loved ones who are no longer with us.
P4【参考答案】
DACB
1. It is believed that this is when the border between the living world and the spirit world dissolves.
2. The annual holiday, held from November 1st to November 2nd, offers a unique opportunity to remember and honor loved ones who have passed away.
3. The brightly-colored smiling skulls serve as a reminder that the holiday is a celebration of the life of loved ones who are no longer with us.
P5【参考译文】
墨西哥亡灵节向亡灵致敬
亡灵节（Dia de los Muertos）是一个充满活力、多姿多彩的生死庆典，也是墨西哥文化的重要组成部分。这个一年一度的节日于 11 月 1 日至 11 月 2 日举行，为缅怀和纪念逝去的亲人提供了一个独特的机会。
历史和起源
这个节日的起源可以追溯到几千年前的中美洲土著民族，包括阿兹特克人和玛雅人。该地区包括哥斯达黎加北部、尼加拉瓜、洪都拉斯、萨尔瓦多、危地马拉、伯利兹和墨西哥中部至南部等现代国家。
古代文明认为死亡是生命轮回的自然组成部分。他们用精心准备的葬礼和神龛来庆祝这一时刻，为期一个月。16 世纪西班牙人征服这些地区后，引入了万圣节和万灵节来纪念死者。随着时间的推移，两种文化逐渐融合，形成了今天的亡灵节。
祭坛
家人用五颜六色的祭坛（或称 "ofrendas"）来迎接逝去的亲人，祭坛上装饰着各种物品。每种物品都有其象征意义。芬芳的金盏花被用来引导逝者的灵魂来到祭坛。被称为 "亡灵面包"（Pan de muerto）的墨西哥甜面包和一壶水有助于为归来的灵魂提供食物和解渴。蜡烛和香代表火元素，而五颜六色的穿孔纸旗则代表风元素。
骷髅和头骨
人们最熟悉的节日标志是 calacas 和 calaveras--骷髅和头骨。它们出现在从糖果到服装、面具和装饰品等所有物品上。色彩鲜艳、面带微笑的骷髅头提醒人们，这个节日是为了庆祝已故亲人的生命。这是一个喜庆而非悲伤的节日。
庆祝活动
庆祝活动从 11 月 1 日午夜开始。人们相信，这是活人世界和灵魂世界之间的边界消失的时候。这让已故的亲人可以跨越界限，与家人团聚。
家人会去祖先的墓地扫墓，用鲜花和蜡烛装饰墓地。他们带来食物和饮料与亡灵分享。许多人甚至在墓地过夜。庆祝活动还包括游行、音乐、舞蹈和宴会。

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