An Introduction to the Day of the Dead Altar and Elements (2023)

FAQs

What are the elements of a day of the dead altar? ›

Many people make altars or “ofrendas” (offerings) in their homes to honor their loved ones who have died. Every ofrenda also includes the four elements: water, wind, earth and fire. Water is left in a pitcher so the spirits can quench their thirst. Papel picado, or traditional paper banners, represent the wind.

Water to satisfy the thirst of the dead who visit; Fire burning in candles; Earth in food and other items for the departed; and Wind, which is represented by the papel picado, paper flowers and other paper elements that move with the wind.

Day of the Dead altars are made as a way of remembering and honoring deceased friends and family. The altars help guide the spirits back to the land of the living on the Noche de Muertos on the night of November 2.

The basic altar can be constructed with different levels. Two levels can represent heaven and earth, while three can mean earth, purgatory, and heaven. In other places, people use seven levels to represent the steps up to heaven or the afterlife.

The altar includes the four main elements of nature – Earth, Wind, Water and Fire. Earth is represented by the crop: The soul is fed by the various earthly aromas. Placing fruit or favorite family dishes on the altar provides nourishment for the beloved souls.

The levels used to build the ofrenda represent different stages of human existence. A two-level ofrenda represents earth and heaven. A three-level ofrenda includes purgatory. A seven-level ofrenda is the most traditional; it represents the necessary steps to rest in peace.

The Elements: An Introduction. The wisdom gleaned from the natural elements—fire, earth, air, and water—is a foundation of healing practices in Chinese, Native American, Vedic, and Tibetan cultures.

An altar is a raised area in a house of worship where people can honor God with offerings. It is prominent in the Bible as "God's table," a sacred place for sacrifices and gifts offered up to God.

What are 5 common offerings for Day of the Dead? ›

The colors yellow and orange are both used in this holiday to represent marigolds, the sun, and light. Marigolds are the flowers of the dead and are thought to help the deaceased find their way back home due to their strong scent and bright colors. The color red is used to represent blood.

The component parts of a fixed altar in the liturgical sense are the table (mensa), the support (stipes) and the sepulchrum. (See ALTAR-CAVITY.) The table must be a single slab of stone firmly joined by cement to the support, so that the table and support together make one piece.

The first altar was the Altar of Burnt Offering (mizbeach ha'olah; Exodus 30:28), also called the Brasen Altar (Exodus 39:39), the Outer Altar (mizbeach hachitzona), the Earthen Altar (mizbeach adamah), the Great Altar (mizbeach hagedola) and the Table of the Lord (Malachi 1:7).

Architecturally, there are two types of altars: Those that are attached to the eastern wall of the chancel, and those that are free-standing and can be walked around, for instance when incensing the altar.

Crystals, gems, and stones. Jewelry or other precious items with personal meaning. Divination tools such as a deck of tarot cards, runes, oracle cards, or a crystal ball. Other natural and found objects like shells, bones, and feathers.

Central to this form of spiritual experience are the 5 elements — Earth, Fire, Air, Water and Spirit.

No matter how large the altars are, they must include representations of the elements of air, water, fire, and earth. An altar with two steps represents the earth and sky. With three steps, the altar depicts purgatory, earth, and heaven, or the Holy Trinity.

What is the power of an altar? ›

An altar is a place of sacrifice and a power point to draw spiritual and supernatural strength (Genesis 8:20-21). Altars are places of separation where we separate ourselves to God and separate from curses and generational traits.

These five are earth, water, fire, wind/air, and void. These came from Indian Vastu shastra philosophy and Buddhist beliefs; in addition, the classical Chinese elements (五行, wu xing) are also prominent in Japanese culture, especially to the influential Neo-Confucianists during the medieval Edo period.

Proceeding outward from the earth they were the moon, Mercury, Venus, the sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Each sphere was the seat of one of the seven chemical elements: silver, mercury, copper, gold, iron, tin, lead. Each heavenly sphere resonated with a note of the western musical scale: re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, do.

An altar is a holy table in a church or temple.

Traditions are different by Country

The act of honoring the dead is widely celebrated around the world but Day of the Dead is unique in its traditions: the ofrenda, the meaning of life and death, the use of calaveras, the style influenced by La Catrina, and more recently, the festivals in the streets.

On top of the altar, offerings are laid out for the dead known as ofrenda in Spanish. These are items that the spirits will enjoy when they come back to earth to visit their living families and friends.

Usually a glass with fresh water is set on the altar so the spirits can quench their thirst after their long journey. The use of water has several meanings. It reflects the purity of the souls. And it can also reflect the regeneration circle of life and death.

Flowers, which symbolize the brevity of life, are an essential element of the Day of the Dead ofrenda. Though many different flowers are used in Day of the Dead celebrations, one flower has become a national symbol for the festival: the marigold.

Marigolds. Often called “flowers of the dead,” cempasúchil, or flor de muerto, these bright orange and yellow flowers' fragrance is said to attract souls to the altar. Their bright and cheery color also celebrate life instead of feeling bitter about death.

What do the skulls represent in Day of dead? ›

Each sugar skull represents a departed loved one and is usually placed on an altar — an ofrenda — or even a gravestone as an offering to the spirit of the dead. Sugar skulls are often decorated with the person's name.

Black – Western World

Wearing dark colours for mourning has long been a tradition in many parts of the western world, in particular large parts of Europe and North America. The association of the colour black with death and loss is centuries old and is believed to have originated during Roman times.

The Ankh. The ankh is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents life, death, and rebirth. The ankh is often depicted with a looped cross at the top, representing eternity and immortality.

Yew. Yew is typically associated with the dead and is often found in graveyards. The Druids saw yew trees as the guardians of the dead. In Greek mythology, yew trees are associated with the Greek goddess Hecate, liberator of souls after death.

Many altars are made with three levels, which represent Earth, Heaven and Purgatory. Some altars are made with seven levels to represent the steps souls must take to rest in peace. The boxes or levels are then covered with either white or black cloths.

Flowers, which symbolize the brevity of life, are an essential element of the Day of the Dead ofrenda. Though many different flowers are used in Day of the Dead celebrations, one flower has become a national symbol for the festival: the marigold.

The word ofrenda means offering in Spanish. They are also called altares or altars, but they are not for worship. Some people mistakenly think that Mexicans that set up Day of the Dead ofrendas for their defunct relatives are actually worshiping them.