El Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated every year on November 2.
The tradition that originated in Mexico invites families to welcome back the souls of their deceased loved ones.
According to a report from the University of Hidalgo State, Mexico, dating back to pre-Hispanic times, indigenous cultures in Mexico viewed death as a passage to the Mictlán, the realm of the dead. Indigenous beliefs assigned afterlife destinations based on the type of death, contrasting with the moral-based heaven or hell of Catholicism.
Spanish colonization brought together indigenous and Catholic traditions, creating a unique Mexican Catholicism that is evident in the Altar de Muertos, the report said.
An altar usually consists of two to seven levels, which symbolize the journey of life and the afterlife. Each level houses different elements that reflect the spirit’s journey, such as sacred symbols and offerings.
Sacrifices and their meaning
The most common altars are two levels, representing heaven and earth; three-tiered altars, on the other hand, add the concept of purgatory to this view. Meanwhile, a seven-tiered altar symbolizes the steps required to reach heaven and rest in peace.
Offerings typically include various elements and symbols that invite the spirit to journey from the world of the dead and spend the day with their loved ones, the report said.
On the first level, images of the deceased are placed at the top of the altar, facing away, with a mirror in front of them, so that the deceased can only see the reflection of their loved ones, and vice versa.
The second level is for the souls in purgatory to get permission to leave.
The third contains salt and symbolizes the purification of the mind for children in purgatory.
On the fourth, the central element of the Día de Muertos celebration, bread, is placed as an offering to the souls passing by. It represented the Eucharist and was introduced by Spanish evangelists, in the shape of “muertito” or round domes, decorated with cross-like bone figures and covered with sugar and anise.
The fifth level contains the deceased’s favorite foods and fruits, which are offered for their enjoyment. The sixth level displays photos of the deceased with their loved ones, to whom the altar is dedicated.
Finally, on the seventh level, a cross made of seeds or fruits, such as tejocote (Mexican hawthorn) and lime, is placed. The cross, introduced by Spanish evangelists, is used in all altars to blend Catholic teaching with indigenous practices. It is placed next to the photo of the deceased, made of salt or ash.
Decorations
In addition, other optional elements are added to the altar for decoration.
Papel Picado: This cut paper symbolizes the festive spirit of Día de los Muertos and represents the wind.
Candles and Lanterns: Considered guiding lights in this world, they are traditionally purple and white for mourning and purity. Candles can be arranged according to the cardinal points, with lanterns providing a path to the altar.
Water: Symbolizing the purity of the soul and the regeneration of life, a glass of water quenches the spirit’s thirst after a journey from the afterlife. It may be accompanied by soap, a towel and a mirror for cleaning up the deceased.
Flowers: Common altar and grave decorations, marigold flowers guide spirits with their fragrance.
Skulls: Sugary or ceramic skulls are scattered across the altar, symbolizing the presence of death.
Alcoholic drinks: Drinks such as tequila, pulque or mezcal are placed as “shots”, favorites of the deceased.
Personal Items: Belongings of the deceased are included to help the spirit remember their earthly life. Children’s favorite toys are shown.
