To some, this may sound morbid or somber, but that does not tend to be the case. Then, during Day of the Dead celebrations, they may set up an altar at the grave itself.Ī family will often have a picnic at a loved one’s grave after setting up a Day of the Dead altar. In preparation for Day of the Dead, a family might travel to a loved one’s grave in the days before the celebration to clean it. It can also feature offerings to the dead.ĭay of the Dead altars play a very significant role in overall Day of the Dead celebrations. It will typically be colorful and decorative in nature. What Is a Day of the Dead Altar?Ī Day of the Dead altar is essentially a shrine for a lost loved one. This guide will explain what one is, and what types of items may adorne one. One way they do so is with a Day of the Dead altar, also known as an ofrenda. People who take part in them aren’t mourning the dead, so much as they are celebrating their lives.
On November 1, participants traditionally honor dead children, dedicating November 2 to deceased adults.
This holiday, in fact, tends to span two days. That’s why every single culture around the world has certain unique traditions connected to death.įor example, in Mexico and parts of Central and South America, many celebrate Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. If you follow these tips, you’ll be ready to celebrate this holiday and honor this beautiful Mexican tradition.Death is an inevitable part of life. Use your favorite flowers, the deceased’s favorite color or your family’s personal touch. Therefore, you can use any type of decoration you like as long as you don’t use black. But we know that these can be hard to find in some places of the world.
A line of 5 with 4 across should do fine.Īccording to the tradition, the altar is decorated with papel picado and cempasuchil flowers. Then, on the floor, facing the altar, make a cross using the candles. Put a crucifix at the top of your altar and distribute some white or colored candles around the table. If you chose to set up your altar as a three-level stair, put the pictures of infants or children in the first level and adults on the second one. You must also place photos of the deceased on the altar. Besides food, you can also put alcohol, cigars, toys, or anything the deceased liked as an offer in the altar. In other words, one should always offer the taste of their loved ones. It’s usually traditional food, fruits, and bread but the best option is to choose food that your deceased loved one used to enjoy in life. For this part, you’ll have to decide which food and drinks you’ll put on the table to honor the deceased. Once you get your structure on the spot, move on to the next step.
The important thing is to set up an altar. If you don’t have one, you can either use boxes to form the stair-like structure or not use different levels at all. Traditionally, a Dead’s Altar is made with a three-level table. So, the closest it is from the main entrance, the easier it’ll be for the souls to find the altar. It is said that when souls arrive they’ll look for the candle’s light to reach the altar. The ideal place is near the main entrance of your home, with enough light. The first thing to do is find where you’ll set it up.
Dia de los muertos altar simple how to#
How to make a home-made Day of the Dead altar?įirstly, we want to make clear that this guide is for an easy altar with simple items. If you don’t know how, here’s a useful guide with tips to build your altar with things you can find at home. The best way to do so is by making your own altar. The Day of the Dead is just a few weeks away, and as we told you before in “Day of the Dead in Jalisco” you can also be a part of this holiday.
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