
Favorite foods and beverages of the dead you are welcoming home.An image of purgatory, a glass of water, a lit candle, and a mirror.An image of a saint you worship or a cross.These are the items to place on each level, on top of a white blanket representing purity: The seven-level altar symbolizes the seven steps towards heaven. The three levels represent heaven, Earth, and the underworld. The two-level ofrenda represents heaven and Earth.

Altars and Offerings (Altares y ofrendas)Īltars traditionally have two, three or seven levels. Everyone is happy to welcome the spirits after a long journey from the other side. Decorations, food, poems, pictures, and music all are part of a colorful celebration. Let’s celebrate the Day of the Dead! Day of the Dead Elements and Ritualsĭay of the Dead has many elements and rituals that mix to honor the departed. Enter a space where magic and the impossible are within reach. Keep reading to discover the answers to all these questions. Mexicans do not celebrate death but rather the reunion with their “dead” or muertitos (literally, “the little dead ones).īut, where does this tradition come from? What are the rituals involved? Is it only one day a year? What should you expect from the Day of the Dead for your upcoming trip to Mexico? How can you celebrate it like a true Mexican? It attracts attention worldwide for “celebrating death.” This is a common misconception. This tradition has both ancient and colonial roots.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS ALTAR LEVELS HOW TO
Altars dedicated to Selena, for example, almost always have a pepperoni pizza, because as her biopic notes, the singer could scarf down an entire medium pepperoni pizza by herself.Octoby Nicole Canún Hispanic Culture 0 comments How To Celebrate Mexico’s Day of the Dead Like a True Mexicanĭay of the Dead is a Mexican holiday where the living receives their beloved deceased ones in their homes. Fruits known for their fragrant nature are also placed on the ofrenda. While mole is a popular choice for ofrendas, you can display any kind of food as long as it’s one the difunto enjoyed. Water can symbolize the purity of the soul and the source of life. Drinks and FoodĮveryone’s drink and food section will vary, but water, which quenches the soul’s thirst, is necessary. Papel picado is associated with wind, because when the difunto has arrived the paper will move, alerting the host to their presence. The color yellow represents life, purple stands in for death, and orange serves as the union between life and death. Papel picado – a thin sheet of colorful paper with elaborate cut-out designs, such as animals, pumpkins, and skeletons – decorates the altar. GIF by Itzel Alejandra Martinez for Remezcla While no two ofrendas are alike, here is a eight-step guide to get you started. But they should represent the four elements: fire (candles), wind (papel picado), earth (food), and water.


The beauty of these altars is they can take any shape and are highly customizable. But it’s not rare to see ofrendas honoring celebrities, especially those we feel we know firsthand. Centered around the photos of a loved one, ofrendas typically commemorate those you knew personally. You can build ofrendas, which include items that reveal a little into the person you’re celebrating, anywhere within your home. Each family member contributes by talking about their history. Not only do they unite the living and the dead, they’re also a space to share stories. Rooted in pre-Hispanic traditions and mixed with elements of Christianity, the ofrendas – which can consist of several levels, depending on space – are a place of gathering. The ofrenda must be in place by October 31, because at night, the deceased pop in for one night. In some countries, people spend the day at the cemetery visiting and cleaning the grave of the difunto. But in Mexico, an altar – or an ofrenda – is one of the main focal points of the holiday. Taking place between Halloween and All Souls Day, Día de Muertos celebrations take many forms across the Americas. From October 31 to November 2, people across Latin America lovingly memorialize their deceased relatives and friends in a joyous ceremony.
