Some of the traditional foods served during this holiday are tamales, chicken, or meat in mole sauce, sopa azteca, amaranth seeds, atole (corn gruel), apples, bananas, and pan de muerto (‘bread of the dead’). On Día de los Muertos, celebrants also include food and drinks on the altar, so the souls of their loved ones can enjoy, at least once a year, their favorite meals. Another flower that is usually used to this end is the barro de obispo, also known as cockscomb. This is why many people leave a trace of marigold’s petals between the tombs of their loved ones and their houses. Modern-day Mexican tradition has it that the bright orange and yellow colors and the strong scent of this flower can be used to let the dead know which road would take them to their altars. However, the beliefs regarding marigolds have changed over time. The ritualistic uses of the marigold can be traced back to the time of the Aztecs, who believed that the flower had curative powers. In Mexico, marigolds are also called flor de muerto, which means ‘flower of the dead’.
3. Marigoldsįresh flowers are usually used to decorate the altar of the dead, with the cempasúchil flower, or marigolds, being the option preferred among Mexicans. It’s also worth mentioning that in many religious traditions around the world, salt is closely associated with the beginning of life. Moreover, salt is supposed to purify the souls of the dead, so the departed’s spirits can continue with their round journey every year. Salt represents the prolongation of life after death. The whole structure is usually covered with clean tablecloths. Many people also use a table as the base of their altar, to increase its height. Other types of containers can also be used, as long as they provide enough stability.
In that location, an array of wooden crates placed one atop another is displayed. To set up the structure of the altar, celebrants choose a space of their house cleared of its traditional furnishings. This multi-level structure is believed to represent the three layers of the creation that exists in Aztec mythology – the heavens, the earth, and the underworld. The structure of the Día de los Muertos altar often has several levels. Nevertheless, since the adoration of ancestors is forbidden in Catholicism, it seems far safer to assume that the religious substrate from which this element emerged primarily belongs to the Aztecs. This syncretism is the reason why finding the exact historical origin of the Día de los Muertos altars can become a difficult task. Today, the celebration of the Día de los Muertos blends elements from both the Aztec and the Catholic traditions. However, after the Spaniards conquered Mexico in the 16th century, the Catholic Church moved all indigenous traditions concerning the cult of the dead to November 1st (the Day of All Saints) and 2nd (the Day of all Souls), so they would fit into the Christian calendar.Įventually, the solemnity with which these two holidays were celebrated was replaced by a much more festive attitude, as Mexicans started to approach death with a particular sense of ‘cheerfulness’. In ancient times, the Aztecs held many rituals throughout the year to honor their dead. The roots of Día de los Muertos’ go deep into the Aztec era of Mexico.
The Historical Origins of Día de los Muertos Altar Here’s a closer look at the history and elements of a traditional Día de los Muertos altar, and what each of these represents.
#Small dia de los muertos altar series#
However, traditional altars share a series of common elements, such as its structure, and the elements on top of it, including modeled human skulls (made of clay or ceramic), salt, marigolds flowers, food, drinks, some of the deceased’s personal belongings, candles, copal, incense, sugar skulls, water, and paper cortado cut-outs. One of the most significant traditions associated with this holiday is the decoration of personalized, homemade altars (known as ofrendas in Spanish), dedicated to the memory of the departed.Īltars are homemade and personalized, so each one of them is unique in its own way. It’s believed that during this celebration, the spirits of the dead come back to spend some time among the living, so families and friends gather to welcome the souls of their loved ones. This festivity takes place on the 1st and 2nd of November.
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