![]() ![]() It reminds us of the most important thing. A picture of the evoked relative is placed in the altar to make him present. She asks about where they are now, we talk about what we're scared of. Day of the dead altars known as altares de muertos or ofrendas (offerings). The fact that my daughter helps decorate her grandmothers altar gives us an opportunity for me to tell her stories about them. If we can take anything away as Americans from this spiritual tradition, I hope that it allows people to connect to those who are no longer with us. El día de Los Muertos is celebrated on November 1st and November 2nd, in which the spirits of the dead are believed to return home and spend time with their relatives on these two days. These several elements welcome, celebrate, and pay homage to the dead. It usually contains three levelsfor Heaven, Earth, and the underworld and represents the four elements earth, wind, fire, and water. Mexican culture has a much different, more intimate and less fearful relationship to death than American culture. A major part of the Dia de los Muertos celebration, which originated in ancient Mesoamerica, is the altar, or ofrenda (offering). Which brings me to my favorite part of this tradition, celebrating death. The paper flower tradition is very strong too. Marigold flowers use their color and scent to guide the spirits back home. With these orange flowers scattered all over white shrines, lit up in candles, a burial place all of a sudden glows brightly, lifting the spirits of all who gaze upon it. Garlands of marigolds or Cempasúchil are found on almost every Día de los Muertos altar in Mexico. Typically, grave sites and cemeteries in Mexico are always painted white. The flower of Dia de Los Muertos is the Marigold or cempasuchil. Finally, like most altars for the dead, we decorate them with flowers. Ofelia Esparza is an artist, an altarista, or altar-maker, and an educator.She was born in East Los Angeles in 1932, not far from where she still lives.
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