It's the season of Dia de los Muertos - when Mexicans celebrate the life of the dead.
Support local journalism like this story by subscribing today.Buying flowers for the altar. You can connect with Arizona Republic Culture and Outdoors Reporter Shanti Lerner through email at or you can also follow her on Twitter. This is the time to place spicy or savory foods and chocolates, fruits and nuts. 31 as it is said that child spirits arrive first. Toys and sweet foods should be set out by Oct. Candles and flowers can be placed on this tier as well.ĭia de los Muertos is typically observed Nov. The bottom tier should include water for the souls to quench their thirst and salt to purify them on their way back to the spiritual world. (Use care when placing items near candles, and don't leave burning candles unattended.) Foods, mementoes and sugar skulls also can be placed here. Place food, drinks and things the dearly departed loved on the second tier. Other religious items can also be added here. Gods or saints go on top, along with photos or portraits of the deceased. The ofrenda can be organized into two or three layers. Orange, yellow, purple and black are the most traditional colors of flowers. Start by placing papel picado and flowers on and around the altar. A blanket can be placed over it as a base if you like. Here's a step-by-step guide to making a Dia de los Muertos altar:Ĭlear a space on a table, box or piece of furniture. Vanessa Ramirez, director of Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli, shows a Dia de los Muertos altar every year at her studio.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS ALTAR ITEMS HOW TO
Here's how to make them How to make a Day of the Dead altar More: Sugar skulls are the ultimate Day of the Dead symbol. notes that sugar skulls are commonly decorated with sequins, colored foils, feathers, beads and glitter. While sugar skulls with their colorful designs may seem enticing to eat, they are more folk art than food. Sugar skulls are made of a granulated sugar mixture that's pressed into molds and then decorated. Sugar skulls: These represent the person who has passed. It's usually placed in clay bowls or other containers around the altar. Salt: Salt helps purify the soul on its way back to the spirit world. For a child's altar, a lighter flower such as baby's-breath can signify innocence and purity. Bright yellow and orange Mexican marigolds, or cempasúchil, are most commonly used. Their fragrance is said to attract the deceased. You can also leave tamales, chocolate, fruit and nuts.įlowers: Flowers symbolize the brevity of life. Mole: This thick sauce made with chiles, sesame seeds, herbs and other ingredients is usually set out for adult spirits. This might be a baseball card, bracelet, piece of clothing, book or favorite CD.Ī small pan de muerto sits on an altar along with a sugar skull and a pomegranate at El Kiosco. Mementoes: Place a photo of the deceased or any sentimental item that reminds you of your loved one. Saints: A family may have a particular saint that is important to them. Personalize your altar with these traditional items: More: Phoenix's Mikiztli festival honors the Indigenous origins of Día de los Muertos What other items go on an altar? They are often positioned into the form of a cross to represent the cardinal directions to help the dead find their way during their journey to and from the spirit world. The essence or soul of the bread is consumed by the dead when they visit their loved ones.įire is represented by candles. Wind is represented by papel picado, paper banners that signify the union between the dead and the living. These banners have elaborate designs such as animals, pumpkins and skeletons. When the paper moves, it's an indication that the deceased person is present.Įarth is represented by food, especially the bread known as pan de muertos. The Dia de los Muertos altar at Super Mercado El Kiosco in Phoenix on Oct.
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