Burning copal is a holdover tradition from the Aztecs, who used the incense as an offering to the gods.Sugar skulls, or calaveras, add a lighthearted touch-for both the dead and the living.Four candles at the top represent the cardinal directions and provide a lighted path to this world.Papel picado serves as a colorful and meaningful trim: Black represents death, purple means grief or mourning, pink is for celebration, white symbolizes hope, and yellow stands in for the sun.Cempasuchitl, the Aztec term for “marigolds,” grow and wilt quickly, reflecting the fleeting nature of life.The deceased’s favorite knickknacks, food, or tools (if he was a barber, for example, his straight razor, foam brush, and scissors) create a familiar setting for his return.Salt, a symbol of purification, is for the dead to season the food you’ve offered him.Found at most panaderías, the round loaf is topped with a skull and crossbones. Da de los Muertos is a time of celebration and remembrance of loved ones who have passed away, similar to Memorial Day in the United States. November 2 is Da de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). November 1 is Da de los Inocentes (Day of the Innocents) and also known as Da de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels). Pan de muerto, or “bread of the dead,” is a sweet treat. It’s a time to guide loved ones through their spiritual journey and a time to remember those who have passed.Water or, more typically, fruit punch is served to refresh a spirit after his journey.Smaller, informal snapshots can adorn the lower levels. A large photograph of your loved one is the centerpiece.
Altars are also meant to welcome returning spirits, so they include both personalized and traditional elements-including several dating to the Aztecs-that will guide an honoree on his journey from the land of the dead. “The day is devoted to the departed, and an altar pays special tribute,” says Malena Gonzalez-Cid, the executive director of Centro Cultural Aztlan, a nonprofit that has organized San Antonio’s largest Día de los Muertos celebration for 32 years.
Every November 2, known as the Day of the Dead or All Souls’ Day, Hispanics across the Southwest transform grave sites, offices, and corners of their homes into vibrant memorials for their deceased loved ones by assembling multitiered ofrendas, or altars.
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