Every year for the past four years, he has created an altar inside his home to celebrate and remember the lives of friends and relatives who have passed. While many people might view death as a time filled with sadness and grief, for 30-year-old López Fértor, it’s a moment for celebration. Inside he has set up an elaborate altar ( ofrenda) in preparation for Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a multi-day holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and parts of Latin America that honors loved ones who have died. In ancient times, the Aztecs held many rituals throughout the year to honor their dead.Light envelops the foyer inside Alfonso López Fértor’s home in Guadalajara, Mexico, filling the space with a warm, welcoming glow. The roots of Día de los Muertos’ go deep into the Aztec era of Mexico. What is the history of Día de los Muertos? Ofrendas often have flowers, candles, food, drinks, photos, and personal mementos of the person being remembered. In addition to celebrations, the dead are honored on Dia de los Muertos with ofrendas-small, personal altars honoring one person. How do you honor the dead on Dia de los Muertos? (D í a de los Muertos is celebrated on All Saints Day and All Souls Day, minor holidays in the Catholic calendar.) The altars can be made in so many ways, but some of the core elements would be a photo of the deceased, their favorite foods, flowers.ĭ í a de los Muertos honors the dead with festivals and lively celebrations, a typically Latin American custom that combines indigenous Aztec ritual with Catholicism, imposed on the region by Spanish conquistador es. Many argue that if you remember them, they never cease to exist. What is a Día de los Muertos Altar?Ī: Día de los Muertos is an opportunity for families to create altars for their loved ones. Altars are traditionally built on October 30th and 31st and are taken down November 2nd. The ofrendas speak of affection toward the deceased and are an expression of love towards life. Placing fruit or favorite family dishes on the altar provides nourishment for the beloved souls.
Earth is represented by the crop: The soul is fed by the various earthly aromas. The altar includes the four main elements of nature – Earth, Wind, Water and Fire. Most altars have a simple white table cloth, often one that has been passed through generations, covering the different levels. What are 5 things that can be at an altar?ĭay of the Dead: 5 Essential Elements of the Altar Tapetes de arena (sand sculptures or tapestries).There are a lot of aspects to these elaborate altars, the most common symbolizing the four main elements: water, fire, earth and wind. What are 7 elements of the altar de Muertos? Water (agua) and other drinks (otras bebidas).Bread for the dead (pan de muerto) A sweet treat for the spirits.Incense (incienso) Made of copal, which is pine resin, and used to communicate with the spirit world.What are 10 typical items that are placed on altars for the remembered? Altars may contain all hand-made items or ones that have been purchased. In the homes, family members honor their deceased with ofrendas or offerings which may consist of photographs, bread, other foods, flowers, toys and other symbolic offerings. What types of things are included on the altars? 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. The true masterpieces are the altars with seven steps. With three steps, the altar depicts purgatory, earth, and heaven, or the Holy Trinity. What are the three levels of a Day of the Dead altar?Īn altar with two steps represents the earth and sky.
Seven levels represent the seven necessary steps to heaven. Two-level altars represent heaven and earth the third level is added to symbolize purgatory.
#Things to put on a dia de los muertos altar full#
What do the 7 levels of the altars represent?Īltars have two to seven levels and each is full of symbols. Papel picado, or traditional paper banners, represent the wind. Water is left in a pitcher so the spirits can quench their thirst. Every ofrenda also includes the four elements: water, wind, earth and fire. Many people make altars or “ofrendas” (offerings) in their homes to honor their loved ones who have died.
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