Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a heartfelt celebration that honors the lives of those who have passed. Rooted in ancient Mexican traditions, this holiday blends indigenous customs with Spanish influences, creating a mix of rituals, colors, and meanings. As families come together to remember and celebrate their loved ones, they create ofrendas (altars) adorned with photos, food, and mementos, transforming their homes into sacred spaces of remembrance and joy.
Colores Mexicanos’ Co-owner Gabriel Neely-Streit states, “Dia de Muertos has exploded in popularity in Chicago and across the U.S. in recent years. Besides being a beautiful tradition, we think it is a healthy way to celebrate life, process death and grief, and remember our loved ones. We love to see families of all backgrounds joining in, especially Latinx people who have grown up in the U.S. and want to reconnect to these traditions!
The altar is our offering to our deceased loved ones, welcoming them back to the fiesta we throw for them every year! It commonly has three levels, representing the journey to Mictlán: the Land of the Dead.”
Whether you’re looking to create a simple altar or a fully immersive environment for your apartment in Chicago, new home in Portland, or a rental home in Los Angeles, in this Redfin article, we will delve into the fascinating history of the Día de los Muertos celebration, exploring its origins and significance. We’ll also provide practical tips on how to enjoy this meaningful occasion, including ways to design your home to reflect the spirit of the holiday.
Embracing death: Historical insights into the holiday
When exploring the traditions of Día de los Muertos, it’s essential to consider how different cultures interpret the concept of death. As Dane Strom from The Lakes Guide observes, “For people used to the orderly system of life and death north of the border, the holiday can strike outsiders as a macabre celebration of death. Its nighttime graveyard vigil and many images of the dead could first appear as a grim way to remember the ancestors.
But for Mexicans, the Day of the Dead celebration makes the past come alive: honoring family and friends who have transcended to the other side while preserving ancestral and cultural heritage. And like all holidays (especially in Mexico) it’s a chance to celebrate, not just to remember, so the tone is often festive instead of somber.”
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, origins can be traced back thousands of years to the ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, such as the Aztecs and the Maya, who held a profound reverence for death and the afterlife. For these cultures, death was not seen as an end, but as a continuation of the journey of the soul.
The Aztecs, in particular, believed that the dead existed in a parallel world and that the spirits of deceased ancestors would return to the living during specific times of the year. This belief laid the groundwork for the rituals and celebrations that would evolve into Día de los Muertos. Families would create offerings, or ofrendas, to invite the spirits back, providing them with food, drink, and items they enjoyed in life.
With the arrival of Spanish colonizers in the 16th century, many indigenous practices were influenced by Catholicism. The timing of the Día de los Muertos celebration was adapted to coincide with the Catholic observances of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1st and 2nd. This fusion of traditions created a unique tradition that honors both the deceased and the cultural heritage of Mexico.
Today, Día de los Muertos is celebrated not only in Mexico but also in various parts of the world, where communities honor their loved ones with beautiful altars, colorful decorations, and festive gatherings. Through music, dance, food, and heartfelt remembrance, Día de los Muertos continues to be a powerful expression of love, memory, and the enduring connection between the living and the dead.
Honoring memories, how to create a meaningful ofrenda
Ofrendas, or altars, are the heart of Día de los Muertos celebrations, serving as a sacred space where families can honor their deceased loved ones. These displays are not just decorative; they are deeply personal tributes that reflect the unique memories and characteristics of those being celebrated.
As Kristina & Eduardo from Fiesta Connect share, “At the heart of Dia de los Muertos, the ofrenda is the focal point of the celebration. An ofrenda, which means “offering” in Spanish, is a meticulously crafted altar or display that is dedicated to a departed loved one. These ofrendas are striking in their intricacy, adorned with an array of colorful elements and meaningful objects. The significance of ofrendas lies in their ability to serve as a bridge between the living and the deceased. Families and communities construct these altars to create a physical space where they can remember and honor their ancestors.
These ofrendas are not just offerings; they are a tangible connection to the past, a way to maintain a sense of closeness and remembrance. They enable people to share stories and memories of the departed, creating a bridge between generations and reaffirming the belief that the spirits of the deceased continue to exist in the hearts and minds of the living.”
To create your own ofrenda they suggest:
- “Select a sturdy table or surface to serve as the foundation for your ofrenda. The size can vary depending on your available space and the scale of your tribute.
- Use a photograph of a deceased loved one, it should be a clear image of the person you’re honoring. Place it prominently at the center of the ofrenda.
- Include marigold flowers (Cempasúchil). These bright orange or yellow flowers are symbolic of the fragility of life. You can use fresh marigolds or artificial ones to create garlands, wreaths, or other decorations.
- The use of candles are essential to guide the spirits of the deceased. Select bright, colorful candles to add a vibrant touch to your ofrenda.
- Papel picado is intricately cut tissue paper that is often used to decorate the ofrenda. It symbolizes the wind and the fragility of existence. You can find pre-cut papel picado or make your own.
- Offer the favorite foods and beverages of the deceased as a way to nourish their spirits during their visit. This can include traditional Mexican dishes, fruits, sweets, and beverages like water, tequila, or atole.
- Gather personal items and memorabilia that represent the loved one’s interests, hobbies, and personality. This can include cherished possessions, artwork, or any objects that hold sentimental value.”
Amber Dunlap of No Maps or Foot Tracks reiterates the use of items by stating, “To create the most authentic and effective ofrenda in your home, be sure to include not only some photos of your deceased loved one, but a nice collection of their favorite things. Did they like a particular brand of soda? Did they smoke? What was their favorite dish? Add it all to the altar. The purpose of an ofrenda is as much to memorialize the dead as to help them find their way back home. That’s why you’ll see candles and traditional Day of the Dead flowers like marigolds gracing the altar-scape too, and usually a glass of water to quench their thirst after the long journey. It’s all about the sensory signposts and their personal preferences when it comes to crafting an ofrenda.”
Dani Lee from The Catrina Shop adds, “A traditional ofrenda is typically made with three tiers, symbolizing the profound connection between heaven, earth, and the underworld; keep in mind that you can make it as elaborate or as simple as you want. Your personal touch is what truly matters, making it a unique and meaningful tribute to your loved ones. You are in control of this beautiful and personal process.
Some key elements you will need include photos of the deceased to remind us of their enduring presence. Cempasúchil (marigold) flowers guide spirits back to the world of the living with their sweet aroma. Sugar skulls symbolize life’s sweetness and death’s inevitability, and candles light the way for souls to complete their spiritual journey.
To complete the ofrenda, include traditional foods like pan de muerto and your loved one’s favorite dishes. Include a small dish with salt and a glass of water to cleanse and purify your loved one’s journey, copal, or incense to clear the path between the physical and spiritual world. Include papel picado to represent the wind and give color to your ofrenda. Lastly, add personal items and cherished mementos that serve as powerful reminders of our loved ones.”
Travel blogger Shelley Marmor of Travel Mexico Solo sums it up by stating, “As a personal ritual to honor your deceased loved ones, there’s technically no right or wrong way to build your ofrenda. However, there are some common items you’ll often find on Day of the Dead altars.
These include photos of those being honored, their favorite foods and drinks, items that were important to them, pan de muerto (bread of the dead), Day of the Dead flowers (especially cempasúchil/marigold and cresta de gallo/coxcomb), incense (usually copal), sugar skulls, and papel picado (colorful, perforated paper).”
Remembering your deceased loved ones doesn’t have to stop at your home. Several places such as the San Angelo Hispanic Heritage Museum invite people to celebrate with them. The San Angelo Hispanic Heritage Museum says, “We proudly create the largest ofrenda in Texas, adorned with over 1,500 balloons and marquee “Día de los Muertos” letters on the steps of the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts.
On opening night, the community is invited to place photos at the altar while enjoying folkloric dancing and live music. We believe that the best way to keep the spirit of remembrance alive is to celebrate together as a community, creating shared moments that honor our loved ones and enrich our cultural heritage.”
The Day of the Dead serves as a powerful reminder of our connection to those who have passed, honoring their memory through altars and cherished traditions. As we create our own altars at home, we participate in a cultural legacy that transcends borders and time. As Sandra Perez-Ramirez from Mamá Noticias, a Spanish language blog says, “The Day of the Dead is a significant time for many of us, as it is the date on which we remember loved ones who have passed away. The celebration takes place in Mexico on November 1 and 2, but to the surprise and joy of many, this beautiful tradition is also celebrated worldwide.
In Mexico, death is considered part of the cycle of life and has therefore been celebrated since pre-Hispanic times. For example, in Aztec mythology, the deceased had to go through a long journey before reaching Mictlán, the region of the dead. This tradition has been transmitted to new generations, teaching them the importance of their cultural heritage, which now is admired and celebrated worldwide.”