Dia de los Muertos

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Ofrendas, or altars, are found in Mexican homes to honor loved ones no longer with us. They are often decorated with colorful marigolds, papel picado, pictures, images or statues of saints and offerings.

Some altars are designed with three levels to represent heaven, earth and the underworld. Here are typical elements found on ofrendas.

Water: Water is left in a pitcher so spirits can drink it

Wind: Usually represented with papel picado 

Earth: Is represented with food—specifically bread

Fire: Candles represent fire left to guide spirits 

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Papel Picado, meaning cut paper, is used for many Mexican celebrations. It is often compared to patriotic bunting seen around the U.S. around Fourth of July. These flags are made typically out of paper by skilled artisans who use patterns and precision knives to cut the paper. The flags are then strung together and hung in houses, around ofrendas and doorways. 

We can make a simple version of Papel Picado by folding and cutting tissue paper similar to making paper snowflakes.

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Marigolds are prized for their bright colors and strong fragrance. They are said to attract the souls of the dead from their burial place to the ofrendas prepared for them. 

We make marigolds out of colorful tissue paper and string them together like garland to decorate our ofrenda.