The night of the animal spirits and the legend of the rainbow bridge
The Night of the Animal Spirits, celebrated on October 27, is a Mexican tradition that marries elements of ancient indigenous beliefs with more recent aspects of this country’s culture.
Mayans and Aztecs believed that animals had a special connection to the spiritual world and could act as guides or protectors for humans.
It was the Mexican naked dog, known as Xōlōitzcuintle, a manifestation of the god Xolotl, who guided the souls of the dead on their journey to Mictlan, the Kingdom of the Dead.
No soul could cross the first level of Mictlan,called Itzcuintlan or Āpanōhuayān, without being guided by the Xōlōitzcuintle.
However, anyone who had mistreated an animal in life was not worthy of receiving its help and was therefore doomed to wander the banks of the Chiconahuapan River for eternity.
With the arrival of Christianity in Mexico, many of these ancestral practices were integrated into the new religion.
November 2, the Day of the Dead, became a central time to honor the dead.
The Night of the Animal Spirits complemented this holiday, becoming an occasion to commemorate not only loved ones but also departed animals.
Los dias de los muertos: the ofrenda
Animal Spirit Night is marked by rituals and practices that help commemorate the bonds between humans and animals and celebrate their memory.
Families set up altars in honor of their deceased animals, decorating them with photographs, food, and items that their animal friends valued in life: this is the so-called “ofrenda“.
Food is a key element in this celebration.
Some prepare special meals for both humans and their animals (if any) and leave portions on tables or altars as offerings for the spirits who return to visit.
During the night, through prayer, humans express their love and gratitude for the time spent together with their animals.
To light the way of the spirits, candles and lanterns are lit.
Their light creates a mystical and welcoming atmosphere that symbolizes guidance home for those who have passed on.
Animal Spirit Night is also a time to share stories and anecdotes related to missing animals.
This exchange of memories keeps the memory of those who are gone alive.
Respect for life in all its forms
The Night of the Animal Spirits highlights a fundamental value present in Mexican culture: respect for life in all its forms.
This celebration is distinguished by its ability to harmonize the sacred and the profane, the animal and human worlds, in the knowledge that both share the path of life and death.
It emphasizes the responsibility of humans to care for and respect the animals that share our path.
It embodies the unconditional love that animals bring into people’s lives, and the pain of their loss is a central theme in the grieving process.
The leap between worlds: the legend of the rainbow bridge
Also in Mayan mythology there is a deity called Chak Chel (or “Great Rainbow”) who represents the duality of creation and destruction, thus life and death.
Native Americans also attached great significance to animal spirits, viewing each animal as a bearer of teachings and wisdom.
Here, then, is how the more modern legend of the rainbow bridge draws precisely on archetypes (the bridge/balance between worlds, the rainbow as a link) that recur in many cultures.
Legend has it that when an animal dies, it travels across the bridge to the afterlife, where it finds remains waiting for its humans.
The place is described as a green meadow where there is no suffering, only games, food, water and the warmth of the sun.
Once safe on the other side of the bridge, the animals recover their health and vitality.
When the human dies, the animal recognizes him, runs to him, and together they cross the bridge, ready never to be separated again.
Grieving when an animal dies
The death of an animal represents a painful phase, but also an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of the life it shared with us.
The legend of the rainbow bridge not only comforts, but invites us to implement a paradigm shift in our relationships with animals.
By recognizing their intrinsic value, we can learn to celebrate their lives as we grieve, seeking to honor their memory and promoting a more respectful future for all living creatures.
In this context, it is imperative to reflect on the respect we should give to animals during their lives.
Animals, as sentient beings, deserve not only affection, but also dignity and protection.
Their existence is not measured solely by how useful they are to us or the company they keep, but extends to respecting their needs and rights.
It is therefore our task to promote a culture of respect for animals, both domestic and wild, all and without distinction.
Only then can we reduce their pain and suffering, as is right and proper.
In this regard, the veterinary doctors on our staff are always at your disposal: contact them for any needs or information that may be useful for the well-being of your beloved dog or cat.
We would also like to remind you that Clinica La Veterinaria is always open h24 every day including holidays and with First Aid service from 8 pm to 8 am.
For the joy of seeing them HAPPY
©2025 -Text and image: Tiziana Genovese – Veterinary Technician
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