Read about how Chicano artists like Esparza helped promote the modern-day version of Día de los Muertos and how they are fighting against hyper-commercialization of the tradition.Īt the community altar, Ofelia Esparza (foreground) is burning copal, which is incense used for special ceremonies. To me those are the main pieces because the photographs are what generate the stories, and then the actual images of ancestors that you might not have known in person but that you know were part of your background. My mother always had an altar with photographs. There are so many ways of celebrating Día de los Muertos in Mexico, which of course has come over with the immigration of people into the United States, that I don’t say, ‘This is the way it has to be.’ The way that I do it is based on my mother’s tradition. It’s become such an art form that many artists do representations of these elements, not necessarily the items themselves.
Over the years I’ve learned of different traditions, so I can’t really say what is the prototype for an altar, but the elements that I feel are important are the photographs, the candles, the flowers, of course, the food, incense, and papel picado. When we create an altar, we’re creating sacred space. Ofelia Esparza: Altares or ofrendas are a bridge between life and death, between the living and the dead. Sonali Kolhatkar: Is there a standard method of altar-making among Mexican Americans or is it an evolving art? It contains the basics elements of a Día altar: marigolds, tissue flowers (to represent marigolds), candles, and photos of passed loved ones. 1.This is the large community altar that Ofelia created for Grand Park. According to Remezcla, toys are common for children, who are celebrated on Nov. They stand in to make a loved one feel at home and comfortable. Personal Objects - These objects define a loved one and can range anywhere from a piece of clothing to a favorite hobby.Sugar Skulls - Typically decorated with flowers and other designs, sugar skulls represent death and the sweetness of life.Other drinks and food can vary depending on what ancestors enjoyed. Drinks and Food - Water is a must because it not only quenches the soul's thirst, but it represents purity of the soul and the source of life.Yellow paper symbolizes life, purple stands in for death and orange serves as the union between life and death, according to Remezcla. Papel Picado - The thin sheet of colorful paper typically designed with skeletons, animals and pumpkins represents the wind, because when loved ones arrive, the paper will move and thus alert the host to their presence.
It is believed that the rising smoke takes the prayer to the gods and serves as an offering to the gods to cleanse the air and allow spirits to enter without difficulty.
Typically white candles are used, but purple can also stand in to symbolize grief. Candles - The flames of the candles symbolize hope and faith, and they light the way to help the souls find their way to the altar.According to Remezcla, it signals the generosity of the host and feeds the dead after a long, weary journey. Its criss-cross shape represents bones and the single tear shape stands in for sorrow. Pan de Muerto - or Bread of the Dead, is a sweet bread baked and offered as a type of ofrenda that is part of an altar.Their strong scent creates an aromatic ambiance, and they are believed to attract the souls of the dead. Marigolds - Known for their medicinal properties and used to decorate graves, the golden yellow or copper brown color of marigolds represents the sun.