Hanal Pixán: The Day of the Dead in Yucatán

In Yucatán, the Day of the Dead takes on a unique and deeply meaningful form called Hanal Pixán, which in the Mayan language means “Food for the Soul.”

It’s not a sad event — it’s a warm, spiritual, and family-centered time when we honor the souls of loved ones who have passed away. Through food, offerings, and gatherings, Yucatecans keep alive one of the most beautiful traditions inherited from the Maya culture.

Origins and Meaning

The Hanal Pixán tradition belongs to the Maya people and has been celebrated across the Yucatán Peninsula for centuries. When Spanish conquerors and missionaries arrived, the Maya adapted their ancestral rituals to fit the new religious customs — creating a beautiful blend of beliefs that continues to this day.

At its heart, Hanal Pixán is about remembering and celebrating life. The Maya believed the soul — or pixán — is immortal and that, during these days, it returns home to visit family and friends. Families, in turn, welcome their loved ones with food, drinks, and the things they once enjoyed most.

The Connection Between Mayan and Christian Traditions

Hanal Pixán is a living expression of two spiritual worlds coming together — the ancient Maya worldview and the Catholic faith brought by the Spanish. Over time, both systems of belief merged without losing their essence, resulting in a unique form of cultural and religious expression.

Shared Beliefs

Both the Maya and Christian traditions share some fundamental ideas:

Existence of the Soul

Both believe in a spiritual entity distinct from the physical body — the pixán for the Maya — which continues to exist after death.

Temporary Return 

The core of Hanal Pixán is based on the idea that these souls receive permission to return to the world of the living for a short visit.

Honoring the Departed

Both traditions emphasize remembering loved ones and keeping the bond between the living and the dead.

Differences in the Details

Despite the shared foundation, each culture understands the soul and its journey in its own way:

Immortality vs. Life Cycle

In Christian belief, the soul is immortal in an absolute sense — destined for heaven, purgatory, or hell after divine judgment. The soul’s return on these days is a special exception.For the Maya, life and death form part of a continuous cycle that includes rebirth or transformation. The destiny of the pixán depended on the way a person died, not on moral judgment, and could involve realms within the underworld (Mitnal) or one of multiple heavens.

The Soul’s Nature

The Spanish found it difficult to understand the Maya concept of the soul, as the Maya believed a person could have several spiritual entities, each with its own fate after death — a very different concept from the single Christian soul.

Final Destinations

Christianity envisions one heaven and one hell. Maya cosmology includes thirteen heavens and nine underworlds, showing a more complex spiritual landscape.

In the end, it was this shared idea of the returning soul that made it possible for both traditions to merge harmoniously — giving birth to the syncretic celebration of Hanal Pixán as it’s known in Yucatán today.

The Altar: A Symbol of Both Worlds

The altar is the heart of Hanal Pixán — a space where Mayan and Christian elements blend naturally.

Mayan elements

Copal incense for purification, wildflowers such as xpujuc, traditional foods like mucbipollo, jícara bowls with water, and the personal belongings or tools of the departed.

Christian elements

Candles and wax lights symbolizing the light of Christ, wooden or embroidered crosses, and sometimes images of saints or photos of the deceased.

The Green Cross

Represents both the sacred ceiba (tree of life for the Maya) and the Christian cross.

Prayers

Traditional Mayan chants are now blended with Catholic prayers like the rosary, guiding the souls on their journey.

In this way, Hanal Pixán is neither purely Maya nor purely Christian — it’s a living bridge between two spiritual traditions that have learned to coexist for centuries.

The Days of Celebration

The celebration lasts three days, each with its own meaning:

• October 31 – U Hanal Palal: The day dedicated to the souls of deceased children.

• November 1 – U Hanal Nucuch Uinicoob: Honoring deceased adults.

• November 2 – U Hanal Pixanoob: A day of collective remembrance, often marked by a mass for all souls at the local cemetery.

And now, a newer date has been added to the rhythm of remembrance:

• October 27 – The Day of the Pets. On this day, families prepare small altars for their beloved animals who have passed away, including their photos, favorite treats, toys, and bowls of water. Just like humans, it’s believed that pets’ souls return home to visit.

Altars are usually prepared in advance, beginning with these early days, so that each soul — human or animal — is lovingly welcomed home.

Traditional Foods of Hanal Pixán

Food is at the center of this celebration, not just as nourishment but as a symbolic offering — truly “food for the soul.”

• Mukbilpollo (or Pib): The most iconic dish. Its name means “buried” in Maya. This large tamal is made of corn dough and lard, filled with chicken and pork, seasoned with tomato and chili, wrapped in banana leaves, and cooked underground in a wood-fired pit.

• Atole nuevo, balché (a fermented drink from the bark of the balché tree), and tan-chucuá (a rich drink made with corn, cacao, anise, and pepper).

• Fruits like jícamas, mandarins, oranges, and xec, a tangy fruit mix with chili.

• Sweet papaya, coconut candy, pepita sweets, and tamales de x’pelón (black bean tamales).

• And more recently, pan de muerto, which has made its way from central Mexico onto Yucatecan altars.

The Festival of the Souls in Mérida

In Mérida, Hanal Pixán comes to life with the Festival de las Ánimas, one of the city’s most beautiful traditions.

The main event, the Paseo de las Ánimas, is a night procession that retraces the symbolic path of the souls — from the General Cemetery to the San Juan Arch. Locals and visitors walk together, surrounded by candlelight, music, and the aroma of incense.

Along the way, traditional altars, regional food stands, and performances bring Yucatán’s spirit to life. Since 2008, the event has become an unforgettable experience that combines cultural pride and heartfelt devotion.

A Celebration of Memory and Life

Hanal Pixán is more than a tradition — it’s a living link between generations, beliefs, and worlds.

Every year in Yucatán, homes glow with candles, the earth smells of freshly buried pib, and stories of ancestors flow around the table. It’s a celebration where the past and present meet — and for a few nights, the souls come home.