Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Altars

The Day of the Dead is a time for the dead to return home and visit loved ones, feast on their favorite foods and listen to their favorite music. In homes, family members honor their deceased with ofrendas or offerings which may consist of photographs, bread, other foods, flowers, toys and other symbolic offerings.

This month, we thought it would be wonderful to share some of the different altars around town to show different styles. Altars can range from being incredibly simple to much more elaborate (like the ones we are showing). Traditional elements used on altars are:

1. Photos of saints of particular importance to the family sit on the altar along with photos of the deceased relatives (The Day of the Dead, The Heard Museum)

2. Candles are always present on the altars. Families light candles on the altars and on the gravesite of the deceased. (The Day of the Dead, The Heard Museum)

3. Flowers, which symbolize the brief life of man, are used as an offering on the altars. Yellow marigolds, known as "the flower of the dead," and other fragrant flowers are used to communicate to the spirits the richness of the offering. Sometimes paths of marigold petals are created by families to aid the souls in finding their way home. (The Day of the Dead, The Heard Museum)

4. Pan de muertos (Bread of the Dead) represent the souls of the dead. The essence or soul of the bread is consumed by the dead when they visit their loved ones. (The Day of the Dead, The Heard Museum)

5. In Mexico, death is something to be celebrated. Skeleton dolls and toys are made for living children to play with. Thus, the child's first acquaintance with death is a cheerful one. (The Day of the Dead, The Heard Museum)

2007 Altars by Lucinda Hutson featured in Austin American Statesman "Glossy"
http://web.mac.com/lucindahutson
(Pictures Copyrighted; no duplication without express written permission)

El Interior
1009 West Lynn
Austin, TX  78703
p. (512) 474-8680
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