#DIA DE LOS MUERTOS ALTAR LEVELS HOW TO#

Lastly, additional items and personal and religious touches may be added to the altar as the family sees fit. Some also include a bar of soap, water, a towel and a mirror in case the spirit wants to wash up too. Salt is included because it represents the purity of the spirit and to help it stay pure for it’s next journey. Marigold flowers are always present too because it is believed that their strong scent helps the spirits find their way to the altars.Įars of corn are placed by some because the holiday coincides with the harvest of our most important crop.įood and other favourite drinks are always present because it’s believed that the soul will be hungry and thirsty after the journey. You’ll often find sugar or chocolate or amaranth skulls (they can have the name of the dead person on them) on altars and one of the beliefs is that they represent that death can also be sweet. Personal items that belonged to the deceased are also placed on the altar so that they find comfort. More Elements to Include in a Day of The Dead Altar Water by a glass of water which is placed to quench the spirits thirst.įire is present in the candles and the copal which is a type of incense. Wind is represented by the decorative paper or papel picado. The four elements earth, wind, water, and fire must be present.Įarth is represented in the fruits, flowers, and seeds or grains that can be included. These items play an important role and all represent a special significance.Ī photograph of the person is always placed at the highest point of the altar.

#DIA DE LOS MUERTOS ALTAR LEVELS HOW TO#

How to Make a Dia de Lost Muertos Altar Ofrendas for The AltarsĮvery Día de Muertos altar has items placed on it that are meant as an ofrenda or offering for the spirit. Additionally each level of the altar represents a different meaning. Additional variations include touches that have been added by each family.Īnother difference lies in the amount of levels that are built for each altar. The altars may vary slightly depending on the region and based on the particular indigenous group that live there. In addition to visiting the gravesite, the loved ones build altars to help guide the spirits back for their visits back to our realm. How is Dia de Muertos Celebrated in Mexico

On the 2nd of November a mass is celebrated for all of dead (this was an addition by the Spanish).

November 1st is for the deceased adults.

The 31st of October is for remembering children who have passed.

The modern day Dia de Muertos celebrations go for three days. The holiday is not intended as a sad or macabre day, it’s meant to celebrate the person’s life and all the good they brought into the world when they were here with us. They didn’t view death as an end, but rather a continuation onto the next journey of life. The native people believed that on this day the souls of the departed where allowed back for a visit. At its roots the holiday was celebrated as a special day of remembering those that are no longer with us. What is Dia de Los Muertosĭia de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) is a Pre-Hispanic tradition that has been celebrated for at least 3,000 years by the many indigenous groups of the lands that are now Mexico.Īs of 2008 it became part of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists. So I’d like to share with you what I’ve learned, and you to can make your own Day of The Dead altars. It’s immensely therapeutic for coping with the death of loved ones. I started celebrating this special holiday as an adult. My parents took us to the cemetery and also to mass and that was pretty much the extent of our Día de Muertos celebration. My Catholic family did observe the holiday, but in a different way. I am 100% Mexican (born here too) but just like many other families around Mexico mine didn’t have the altar building tradition.

What to Eat and Cook for Dia De Los Muertosĭo All Mexicans Celebrate Dia de Los Muertos.

More Elements to Include in a Day of The Dead Altar.

How to Make a Dia de Lost Muertos Altar.

How is Dia de Muertos Celebrated in Mexico.

Do All Mexicans Celebrate Dia de Los Muertos.

Dia de los muertos altar levels