DAY OFTHE DEAD

CELEBRACIÓN 30 OCT–1 NOV 2019

Docent-Led Discussions Daily 10:00 A.M. NOON

2:00 P.M.

Friday, 1 November at 3:30 p.m.

Mariachi Los Pumas perform

DAY OFTHE DEAD

CELEBRACIÓN 30 OCT–1 NOV 2019

Docent-Led Discussions Daily 10:00 A.M. NOON

2:00 P.M.

Friday, 1 November at 3:30 p.m.

Mariachi Los Pumas perform

Altars | OfrendasEvery ofrenda includes the four elements: water, wind, earth, and fire. Water is left in a pitcher or glass so the spirits can quench their thirst. Papel picado, or traditional cut paper banners, represent the wind. Earth is represented by food, especially the special sweet bread for the holiday, pan de muertos. Candles are often left in the form of a cross to represent the cardinal directions, so the spirits can find their way.

Families set up a candlelit altar in their homes so spirits can find their way back to their relatives. The altar also offers some of the favorite foods of the deceased—just in case they get hungry. Items that were important to the ancestors when they were alive, such as a favorite book or musical instrument, are placed on the altar as well.

Day of the Dead | Dia de los MuertosThis Día de los Muertos altar represents a traditional Mesoamerican (Mexico and northern Central America) altar to commemorate loved ones who have passed away. This ancient tradition originates from indigenous groups, such as the Aztec, Maya, and Toltec. Certain months were dedicated to remember-ing the departed, based on whether the deceased was an adult or a child.After the arrival of the Spanish, this ritual of commemorating the dead was intertwined with two Catholic Spanish holidays: All Saints Day (1 Nov) and All Soul’s Day (2 Nov). Dia de los Muertos is often celebrated on 1 Nov as a day to remember children who have passed away and on 2 Nov to honor adults.

Today, Day of the Dead is celebrated mostly in Mexico and some parts of Central and South America, as well as in Catholic Europe. Recently, it has become increasingly popular among Latino communities worldwide, especially in the United States.

Levels of the Traditional Mexican Ofrenda Level 1 (highest level): A picture of a saint, the Virgin, or a devotional image.

Level 2: Candles, where the spirit prays to the devotional image to gain permission to depart the spirit world.

Level 3: Toys and salt. Both for children who have passed. Salt purifies the spirit and preserves the body.

Level 4: Pan de Muerto (bread of the dead), sugar skulls, alimentation for the spirits.

Level 5: Food, fruit, and drinks for the spirits, usually the favorites of the deceased.

Level 6: Photos of the departed loved ones.

Level 7 (lowest level): Crosses formed with seeds, fruit, salt, flowers, or cut paper. Here the spirit may repent of past sins.

Marigolds | CempazúchitlThe cempazúchitl or marigold flower is often placed on ofrendas and around graves. With their strong perfume and vibrant colors, the petals are used to make a path that leads the spirits from the cemetery to their families’ homes.

Skeletons and Skulls | CalaverasDuring the holiday, papier mâché and clay skeletons are every-where. This not only reminds us to honor family members and ancestors who have faced death, but death is just a normal part of life. The depiction of skeletotns are not meant to be frightening. They are actively living, playing, dancing, and dressed up, like the fancy Catrina. One day, we will all be skeletons!

Sugar Skulls | Calaveritas de azucarAlong with toys, brightly decorated sweet sugar skulls are left on the altars for children who have passed. Again, the skull is used as a reminder of the cyclicality of life. Sugar skulls that represent a specific departed soul may have a name written on the forehead. These are placed on the home ofrenda or gravestone to honor the return of a particular spirit. Sugar skull art is a specific folk-art style characterized by happy smiles, colorful icing, and sparkly tin adornments. They are labor intensive and made in small batches in skilled homes. These wonderful artisans are disappearing as mass-produced imported candy skulls take their place.

Altars | OfrendasEvery ofrenda includes the four elements: water, wind, earth, and fire. Water is left in a pitcher or glass so the spirits can quench their thirst. Papel picado, or traditional cut paper banners, represent the wind. Earth is represented by food, especially the special sweet bread for the holiday, pan de muertos. Candles are often left in the form of a cross to represent the cardinal directions, so the spirits can find their way.

Families set up a candlelit altar in their homes so spirits can find their way back to their relatives. The altar also offers some of the favorite foods of the deceased—just in case they get hungry. Items that were important to the ancestors when they were alive, such as a favorite book or musical instrument, are placed on the altar as well.

Day of the Dead | Dia de los MuertosThis Día de los Muertos altar represents a traditional Mesoamerican (Mexico and northern Central America) altar to commemorate loved ones who have passed away. This ancient tradition originates from indigenous groups, such as the Aztec, Maya, and Toltec. Certain months were dedicated to remember-ing the departed, based on whether the deceased was an adult or a child.After the arrival of the Spanish, this ritual of commemorating the dead was intertwined with two Catholic Spanish holidays: All Saints Day (1 Nov) and All Soul’s Day (2 Nov). Dia de los Muertos is often celebrated on 1 Nov as a day to remember children who have passed away and on 2 Nov to honor adults.

Today, Day of the Dead is celebrated mostly in Mexico and some parts of Central and South America, as well as in Catholic Europe. Recently, it has become increasingly popular among Latino communities worldwide, especially in the United States.

Levels of the Traditional Mexican Ofrenda Level 1 (highest level): A picture of a saint, the Virgin, or a devotional image.

Level 2: Candles, where the spirit prays to the devotional image to gain permission to depart the spirit world.

Level 3: Toys and salt. Both for children who have passed. Salt purifies the spirit and preserves the body.

Level 4: Pan de Muerto (bread of the dead), sugar skulls, alimentation for the spirits.

Level 5: Food, fruit, and drinks for the spirits, usually the favorites of the deceased.

Level 6: Photos of the departed loved ones.

Level 7 (lowest level): Crosses formed with seeds, fruit, salt, flowers, or cut paper. Here the spirit may repent of past sins.

Marigolds | CempazúchitlThe cempazúchitl or marigold flower is often placed on ofrendas and around graves. With their strong perfume and vibrant colors, the petals are used to make a path that leads the spirits from the cemetery to their families’ homes.

Skeletons and Skulls | CalaverasDuring the holiday, papier mâché and clay skeletons are every-where. This not only reminds us to honor family members and ancestors who have faced death, but death is just a normal part of life. The depiction of skeletotns are not meant to be frightening. They are actively living, playing, dancing, and dressed up, like the fancy Catrina. One day, we will all be skeletons!

Sugar Skulls | Calaveritas de azucarAlong with toys, brightly decorated sweet sugar skulls are left on the altars for children who have passed. Again, the skull is used as a reminder of the cyclicality of life. Sugar skulls that represent a specific departed soul may have a name written on the forehead. These are placed on the home ofrenda or gravestone to honor the return of a particular spirit. Sugar skull art is a specific folk-art style characterized by happy smiles, colorful icing, and sparkly tin adornments. They are labor intensive and made in small batches in skilled homes. These wonderful artisans are disappearing as mass-produced imported candy skulls take their place.

Altars | OfrendasEvery ofrenda includes the four elements: water, wind, earth, and fire. Water is left in a pitcher or glass so the spirits can quench their thirst. Papel picado, or traditional cut paper banners, represent the wind. Earth is represented by food, especially the special sweet bread for the holiday, pan de muertos. Candles are often left in the form of a cross to represent the cardinal directions, so the spirits can find their way.

Families set up a candlelit altar in their homes so spirits can find their way back to their relatives. The altar also offers some of the favorite foods of the deceased—just in case they get hungry. Items that were important to the ancestors when they were alive, such as a favorite book or musical instrument, are placed on the altar as well.

Day of the Dead | Dia de los MuertosThis Día de los Muertos altar represents a traditional Mesoamerican (Mexico and northern Central America) altar to commemorate loved ones who have passed away. This ancient tradition originates from indigenous groups, such as the Aztec, Maya, and Toltec. Certain months were dedicated to remember-ing the departed, based on whether the deceased was an adult or a child.After the arrival of the Spanish, this ritual of commemorating the dead was intertwined with two Catholic Spanish holidays: All Saints Day (1 Nov) and All Soul’s Day (2 Nov). Dia de los Muertos is often celebrated on 1 Nov as a day to remember children who have passed away and on 2 Nov to honor adults.

Today, Day of the Dead is celebrated mostly in Mexico and some parts of Central and South America, as well as in Catholic Europe. Recently, it has become increasingly popular among Latino communities worldwide, especially in the United States.

Levels of the Traditional Mexican Ofrenda Level 1 (highest level): A picture of a saint, the Virgin, or a devotional image.

Level 2: Candles, where the spirit prays to the devotional image to gain permission to depart the spirit world.

Level 3: Toys and salt. Both for children who have passed. Salt purifies the spirit and preserves the body.

Level 4: Pan de Muerto (bread of the dead), sugar skulls, alimentation for the spirits.

Level 5: Food, fruit, and drinks for the spirits, usually the favorites of the deceased.

Level 6: Photos of the departed loved ones.

Level 7 (lowest level): Crosses formed with seeds, fruit, salt, flowers, or cut paper. Here the spirit may repent of past sins.

Marigolds | CempazúchitlThe cempazúchitl or marigold flower is often placed on ofrendas and around graves. With their strong perfume and vibrant colors, the petals are used to make a path that leads the spirits from the cemetery to their families’ homes.

Skeletons and Skulls | CalaverasDuring the holiday, papier mâché and clay skeletons are every-where. This not only reminds us to honor family members and ancestors who have faced death, but death is just a normal part of life. The depiction of skeletotns are not meant to be frightening. They are actively living, playing, dancing, and dressed up, like the fancy Catrina. One day, we will all be skeletons!

Sugar Skulls | Calaveritas de azucarAlong with toys, brightly decorated sweet sugar skulls are left on the altars for children who have passed. Again, the skull is used as a reminder of the cyclicality of life. Sugar skulls that represent a specific departed soul may have a name written on the forehead. These are placed on the home ofrenda or gravestone to honor the return of a particular spirit. Sugar skull art is a specific folk-art style characterized by happy smiles, colorful icing, and sparkly tin adornments. They are labor intensive and made in small batches in skilled homes. These wonderful artisans are disappearing as mass-produced imported candy skulls take their place.

DAY OFTHE DEAD

CELEBRACIÓN 30 OCT–1 NOV 2019

Docent-Led Discussions Daily 10:00 A.M. NOON

2:00 P.M.

Friday, 1 November at 3:30 p.m.

Mariachi Los Pumas perform