Now you’re able to learn its significance and build one in your own home.
Every November 1 and 2, cemeteries all over Mexico come alive incelebration.
Families meet at cemeteries and gather around tombstones to honor loved ones who have passed.
Visitors serenade, dance, pray, light candles and decorate with vibrant orange and yellowcempasuchilflowers.
Many choose to celebrate at home as well by building a beautiful Dia de los Muertosofrenda.
In recent years, this tradition has become more popular in the United States.
What Is an Ofrenda?
It is a beautiful way to reunite the deceased with their family through remembrance.
Each level represents the steps that souls need to take to get to rest in peace.
When building a seven-level altar, each level must be lined with paper or cloth, alternating two colors.
It can be assembled with items around your home.
All you need are a few key elements.
Cover with a white cloth such as a tablecloth or white butcher paper.
Cover every other level with a different colored cloth or paper.
Make a Cempasuchil Arch
The cempasuchil or marigold flower is a Mexican icon.
This orange or yellow flower is one of the most representative elements of the altar de muertos.
Its name derives from the Nahuatl wordCempohualxochitlwhich means twenty flowers or several flowers.
The Cempasuchil flower is considered a Mexican symbol of life and death.
It symbolizes the gateway of the dead to the world of the living.
Be sure to get plenty of flowers.
Fill gaps with single blooms or sprinkle those beautiful petals all over your altar.
Photographs
Taste of Home
Photos of the deceased symbolize our expectations for their visit.
This insinuates that the deceased can be seen, but in reality, they are no longer with us.
Salt is a purifying element and protects the body from evil corruption throughout the journey of the deceased.
A glass filled with water on the altar purifies the soul as well.
It is also used to quench the thirst of the souls after their long journey.
They also signify the milestones, achievements and celebrations throughout their lives.
you’re able to also add fruitred apples represent blood and candied pumpkin means kindness.
They are a reminder of ever-present death and rebirth.
you’re able to even make edible skulls from candies orcookies.
There is no right or wrong amount of candles to place on an ofrenda.
Copalderives from the Nahuatl wordcopalli, meaning incense.
Copal signifies prayer and praise.
It is used to drive away evil spirits so that the soul can key in your home safely.
Its circular shape refers to the cycle of life that everyone goes through.
The center ball symbolizes the skull of the deceased.
The knobby strips represent the bones and tears of the deceased.
On October 28, souls who died tragically due to accidents or violence are honored.
October 29, honors those who have drowned.
October 30, honors lonely and forgotten souls without families.
And October 31 honors children who died at birth or without having been baptized.
The altar is customarily removed on November 3.
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