Dia de los muertos altar png2/24/2023 ![]() ![]() Wind is shown in the flapping papel picado and the flickering candles. Food from the Earth is also important…more on that later. The bright yellow of the marigolds and their fragrance are synonymous with Day of the Dead. Their aroma is said to help lure a spirit back, and the scent is even stronger if the petals are pulled out, so petal paths are often created to guide the souls home. Marigolds, known as “flowers of the dead,” grow and wilt quickly, reflecting the fleeting nature of life. Flowers have a brief life, symbolizing the brevity in which the living occupies the earth. ![]() But traditionally, altars contain the four elements of nature: earth, wind, water and fire.įrom the Earth, yellow marigolds are almost always present. There is no wrong way to build at ’s your own personal expression and memory. But most altars are much, much more modest, and are built in a family’s home. In Mexico, many families spend weeks and small fortunes planning and building Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) altars many even hire professional artists to build altars at gravesides. Many include both personalized and traditional elements-several dating back to the pre-invasion Aztec era. They are usually placed forming a cross.What better way to honor and remember loved ones that have passed than to build them an altar filled with your favorite memories of them? The centuries old-tradition of Day of the Dead altars has come to the United States, and it is a great way to show gratitude, celebrate memories and highlight the best and the brightest of their time on earth.Īltars serve to guide returning spirits on their journeys from there to here. Cempasúchil Flowers - Represents sunlight and is part of pre-Columbian Mexican traditions, which they believed guided the dead down the aisle. Food - On the altar of the dead is usually a reminder of our deceased loved ones their favorite food dishes.Ĩ. Candles - One is placed for every deceased loved one, and symbolize the light of Christ, as well as faith and hope.ħ. Photographs of our loved ones - Helps us remember them and keep them in mind in our prayers.Ħ. Holy Water - Reminds us of the holy water used in our baptism, which makes us children of God, members of Christ and we are incorporated into the Church.ĥ. The image of the Virgin Mary reminds us that she is our mother and intercessor.Ĥ. The Cross and an image of the Virgin La Cruz - Reminds us of the death of Christ, who gave his life for our sins, but who with his resurrection triumphed over death and opened the doors of Heaven to us. An arch - Serves as an allegory to the gateway to Heaven.ģ. 3 levels- The three levels on the altar of the dead relate to the "levels" of the Church: the militant Church, who live on earth the purgative Church, the souls of the deceased in purgatory to prepare for God's beatific vision and the triumphant Church, which is found in Heaven.Ģ. Here are 8 important symbols you can't miss on a dead alter:ġ. The tradition, typical of the inculturation of Christianity with the pre-Hispanic cultures present in Mexico, seeks to create a space of memory and prayer for deceased loved ones. In Mexico and other countries, the tradition for November 2, also known as The Day of the Dead, is to prepare an "altar of the dead" with various Christian symbols. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |