"Día de Muertos"
Day of the Dead
Historical Context
In Mexico, the Day of the Dead has been celebrated since colonial times. This holiday combines indigenous traditions with the Catholic celebrations of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, on November 1 and 2.
From October 31 to November 2, Mexican families decorate and watch over the graves of their loved ones. From the simplest to the most elaborate, graves are adorned with flowers, candles, and food in honor of the deceased. Offerings and altars are also prepared, popular expressions that, although inspired by faith, transcend Catholic religious rituals (1).
Mexican indigenous cultures understood death as an inseparable part of life, a constant duality present in all expressions of their culture. Its symbol appeared in numerous contexts, was frequently invoked, and was represented as a single entity, which has allowed its celebration to endure over time (2).
In Mexico, being a multicultural and multiethnic country, the celebration of the Day of the Dead is not homogeneous, but includes different meanings depending on the indigenous people or social group that practices it. More than a Christian holiday, it is a celebration that is the result of the mixture of pre-Hispanic culture with the Catholic religion, which is why the Mexican people have managed to keep their ancient traditions alive.
Elements of the Day of the Dead Altar
The altar of the dead (offering) is a fundamental element in the celebration of the Day of the Dead.
The belief is that the spirits of the deceased return from the world of the dead to spend time with their families on that day, eat their favorite food, have a drink, and celebrate life.
The offerings must contain a series of elements and symbols that invite the spirit to travel from the world of the dead to spend the day with their family and friends (also known as relatives).
Below are the most representative elements of the altar...
Flowers
Significado
Bedeutung
Pictures
Significado
Bedeutung
Bedeutung
Significado
Candles
Significado
Bedeutung
Arch
Significado
Bedeutung
Salt
Significado
Bedeutung
Day of the Death bread
Significado
Bedeutung
Levels of the altar
Significado
Bedeutung
Papel Picado
Significado
Bedeutung
More
items..
Significado
Bedeutung
Food
Photographs are usually placed in the upper sections of the altar.
According to Andrea, L. (n.d.) in “El mundo del arte:” Artes plásticas desde sus origenes a la actualidad" (The world of art: Visual arts from their origins to the present day), the tradition is to place the photographs with their backs facing forward and a mirror in front of them so that the deceased can only see the reflection of their relatives, and the relatives can only see the reflection of the deceased (3).
Candles, votive candles, and taper candles represent the light that guides us in this world. Traditionally, they are purple and white, as these colors signify mourning and purity, respectively. Taper candles are placed according to the cardinal points, and votive candles are commonly arranged in a path leading to the altar.
The altar, reflecting cultural syncretism (cultural fusion), is placed on a table or shelf whose levels symbolize different strata of existence. Those with two levels represent heaven and earth; those with three add purgatory, while those with seven levels, considered traditional, represent the steps necessary to reach heaven and rest in peace (2).
Cross
Used on all altars, it is a symbol introduced by Spanish evangelists in order to incorporate catechism into a tradition as deeply rooted among the indigenous people as the veneration of the dead. The cross is placed at the top of the altar, next to the image of the deceased, and can be made of salt or ashes.
Copal and incense
El copal es un elemento prehispánico que limpia y purifica las energías de un lugar y las de quien lo utiliza; el incienso santifica el ambiente.
Skulls
The skulls are scattered across the altar and can be made of sugar, clay, or plaster, decorated with colors; they are considered an allusion to death and remind us that it is always present.
Personal Objects
Items that belonged to the deceased during their lifetime are also placed there, so that their spirit can remember moments from their life. In the case of children, their favorite toys are used.
Alcoholic drinks
If the deceased enjoyed alcoholic beverages during their lifetime, these are also added to the altar. It is common to find shots of tequila, pulque, or mezcal among the offerings.
Pre-Hispanic origin: Pre-Hispanic cultures placed offerings to honor the dead. For example, the Aztecs celebrated rituals to help souls reach Mictlán (the place of the dead) and return between November 1 and 2.
Spanish origin: It is related to the tradition of making tapetes to commemorate the feast of Corpus Christi on the island of Tenerife, Spain. They are also made for Good Friday celebrations (4).
The 'tapete' serves as a path for the spirits of the deceased to find their way home and be reunited with their families.
It is a tribute to the lives of loved ones who have passed away.
Materials: They are typically made from materials such as colored sand, sawdust, flowers, seeds, and other natural elements, and are often decorated with candles that symbolize light and faith, or copal, to ward off evil spirits.
References
1. Brandes, S. (2000). El Día de Muertos, el Halloween y la búsqueda de una identidad nacional mexicana. Alteridades, 10(20), 7-20. Recuperado de https://alteridades.izt.uam.mx/index.php/Alte/article/view/404/403 2. Academia de Arte. (2014). El altar de muertos. Revista Preparatoria 4, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo. https://repository.uaeh.edu.mx/revistas/index.php/prepa4/article/download/1927/5709?inline=1 3. Andrea, L. (s.f.). "El mundo del arte:" Artes plásticas desde sus orígenes a la actualidad" . México. 4. National Geographic. (2025). La historia del pan de muerto, el dulce imprescindible del Día de Muertos. National Geographic Viajes. https://viajes.nationalgeographic.com.es/gastronomia/todo-sobre-pan-muerto-dulce-mexicano-que-se-come-dia-muertos_18680 5. México Desconocido. (s. f.). Tapetes de Día de Muertos, practica esta tradición en casa para embellecer tu ofrenda. Recuperado de https://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/tapetes-de-dia-de-muertos.html