Food offerings and other Filipino ‘Undas’ superstitions

While Filipinos celebrate Halloween on Oct. 31, they also commemorate deceased loved ones on All Saints Day on Nov. 1 and All Souls Day on Nov. 2, also known as Undas.

This annual two-day observance is a time for remembrance and family gathering, reflecting traditions at the intersection of folklore and religion.

Families visit the graves of their loved ones, lighting candles and offering prayers and flowers, with some superstitions intertwined with traditional Undas practices. 

Here’s a look at 5 Undas superstitions

5 Undas superstitions

Lighting candles

Lighting candles on graves or home altars is believed to provide the souls of the departed with a spiritual light to guide them on their journey to the afterlife. 

The light is also believed to extend one’s prayers for as long as the candle keeps burning. It symbolizes prayers for deceased loved ones continually rising up to God.

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 Sticky rice cakes or kakanin as offerings

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During Undas, some families have sticky rice cakes or kakanin on the table at home and at cemeteries. These sweet delicacies symbolize how Filipino families stick together. 

Atang and other food offerings

Others also make an atang or offering of food. They pack the deceased loved ones’ favorite foods and bring them to cemeteries. It is believed that food offerings keep the departed loved ones well-fed in their journey to the afterlife. 

Never sweep the floor at night

Some Filipinos believe that sweeping the floor on the night of Undas could “sweep away” the visiting souls of the deceased family members. 

If it rains, it’s the tears of the departed

If it rains during Undas, it means souls are crying as they watch their loved ones from the spirit world, highlighting the strong emotional attachments between family members.

Undas practices and beliefs, superstitions included, reflect the Filipinos’ focus on the family and loved ones, and respect for traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation.

No amount of Halloween trick-or-treating could ever beat that.