What Are The Similarities Between Hispanic Holidays And The United States

Throughout history, the greatest conflicts between cultures are the result of a lack of understanding. Hispanics countries and the United States have different languages, customs, and beliefs that they think makes them completely different from one another. If people would concentrate on the cultural similarities instead of the differences, they would see how similar these two separate cultures are. For example, there are shocking similarities between Hispanic holidays and the United States holidays. Though there are distinct differences between Hispanic holidays and the United States holidays, many of these holidays come from similar ideas.
Two very similar holidays are Christmas and Navidad. Christmas is one of the most well-known holidays

in the United States. Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ in the Holy Bible. People in the United States celebrate by decorating their homes, visiting friends and family, and exchanging gifts. In the United States, a large man named “Santa Claus” delivers the presents to children. In contrast, Hispanic countries celebrate Navidad. During Navidad, people spend time with each other, sing carols, and open gifts. For the first nine nights leading up to Navidad, people often participate in “Las Posadas.” “Las Posadas” is the reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey for a place to stay in Bethlehem. In most Hispanic countries, children are brought gifts by “El Nino Jesus,” a representation of Baby Jesus. In some Hispanic countries, such as Peru and Brazil, gifts are brought by “Papai Noel,” a figure that is more similar to the United States’ version of Santa Claus (Santa’s Origin). Christmas and Navidad are very similar in a numerous of ways. Both are celebrated on December 25 of each year. They are also a time for families and friends to spend time with each other. Navidad and Christmas are major religious holidays for both the United States and Hispanic countries. Similarities in the two holidays demonstrate how similar two completely different cultures can be.
In addition, Halloween and Dia de los Muertos are also very dissimilar, but similar in many ways.

Halloween in the United States is celebrated with children dressing up and asking for candy, often by threatening minor pranks. Symbols of Halloween include pumpkins, ghosts, vampires, and mummies. Halloween was originally used to ward off evil spirits. The name Halloween is derived from the name All Hallow’s Eve, because it was the day before All Saints’ Day. Halloween is celebrated on October 31. However, Dia de los Muertos, or called Day of the Dead, is celebrated from November 1 to November 2. Dia de los Muertos is a celebration where people honor the dead with festivals and parades. Dia de los Muertos recognizes death as a normal part of the human experience and is a time for people to celebrate their memories with deceased family members. “Dia de los Muertos is more of a celebration than a depressing day where you celebrate passed family members. Death is not the end, but the beginning of another phase of life” (Rodriguez). At midnight on October 31, people believe that the gate from heaven is opened and decreased children are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. “It’s based on the belief that there is interaction between the living world and the world of spirits. On the Día de los Muertos, the spirits of the dead are said to come back for family reunions” (Major Holidays). On November 2, people believe decreased adults arise to enjoy the festivals and altars others have prepared for them. Symbols of Dia de los Muertos include skulls and masks called calacas. Both holidays have to do with spirits and for people to have an enjoyable time with family

members.
Furthermore, Easter and Semana Santa are very much alike. Easter celebrates Jesus’s resurrection from the dead. Easter is Christianity’s most prestigious holiday. Easter does not occur on a fixed day, but is always on a Sunday. Easter traditions include the coloring of eggs and the Easter Bunny dropping off baskets of treats for children. The Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is a week where people also celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. “This religious week commemorates the last week in life of Jesus Christ, his crucifixion on Good Friday and the resurrection on Easter Sunday” (Popovic). Hispanic cities and towns are always very busy around this time, because people come out to watch the festivals of the Semana Santa. Both holidays are very alike because they are very religious holidays. Easter and Semana Santa share similar traditions. Both holidays are a time for families to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
There are a lot of differences between Hispanic and the United States holidays, but the holidays contain very similar backgrounds. The differences are what makes the cultures unique. The similarities provide that the two different cultures aren’t completely diverse. If people could have a better understanding of additional cultures and holidays, then we there would be a better world. People should always respect others’ cultures and holidays, despite of which country they come from.