Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a vibrant Mexican tradition that celebrates and honors the lives of those who have passed away. This joyous festival is characterized by its colorful decorations, elaborate altars, and joyous festivities that bring family and community together in remembrance.
The celebration takes place annually on November 1st and 2nd, blending indigenous customs with Spanish influences. Decorating for Dia De Los Muertos involves the use of symbolic items such as marigolds, sugar skulls, and candles, each carrying its own significance and purpose in connecting the living with the dead. Creating a space filled with warmth, color, and meaningful symbols helps to honor loved ones and embrace the cycle of life and death.
In this blogpost on how to decorate for dia de los muertos, we will discuss some tips and ideas to help you create a beautiful and meaningful display for this special occasion.
Why Decorate for Dia De Los Muertos?
Dia De Los Muertos is a celebration of life, and the decorations play an essential role in honoring and remembering loved ones. The colorful and lively decorations serve as a reminder that death is not something to fear but rather a natural part of life’s cycle. It also allows for the deceased to be included in the festivities and brings families together to celebrate their memory.
The decorations also serve as an invitation for the spirits to come and visit their loved ones during this time. The scent of marigolds, burning candles, and the favorite foods and drinks of the deceased are believed to guide their souls back to the world of the living.
Additionally, decorating for Dia De Los Muertos is a way to keep the tradition alive and pass on cultural heritage to future generations. It is a beautiful way to connect with one’s roots and honor ancestors.
10 Step-by-step Guidelines on How to Decorate for Dia De Los Muertos
Step 1: Gather Traditional Elements
The first step in decorating for Dia De Los Muertos is to gather traditional elements that will serve as the foundation of your display. These can include:
Cempasuchil (Marigold) Flowers:
These bright orange flowers are considered the traditional flower of Dia De Los Muertos and symbolize the fragility and fleetingness of life. You can use fresh or artificial marigolds.
Papel Picado:
These intricately cut tissue paper decorations are a staple in Dia De Los Muertos celebrations. They come in various colors and designs, and you can either purchase them or make your own.
Sugar Skulls:
These vibrant and intricately decorated skulls are a symbol of death and resurrection. You can either make them yourself using sugar, or you can purchase them from a local bakery or online.
Candles:
Candles represent the element of fire and guide the spirits to their altars. Use votive candles in bright colors such as red, orange, yellow, and purple.
Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead):
This traditional sweet bread is an essential element on any Dia De Los Muertos altar. It represents the cycle of life and death and is often decorated with bone-shaped designs.
Step 2: Choose a Location
The first step in decorating for Dia De Los Muertos is selecting the perfect location for your altar or ofrenda. This can be a dedicated space in your home such as a corner in the living room, an outdoor space like a patio or garden, or even a communal area where family and friends can gather.
Consider a spot that allows comfortable access for placing items and is visible enough to become a focal point of the celebration. Ideally, the location should be quiet and serene, offering a respectful atmosphere for celebrating and remembering loved ones. Once you have chosen your spot, you can begin to envision how your altar will take shape in this space.
Step 3: Set Up a Table or Platform for Your Altar
Next, set up a table or platform to serve as the base for your altar. This should be sturdy enough to hold all of your decorations and allow for easy placement of items. The size of your altar will depend on the space you have chosen and how many people you are honoring. A small table or even a shelf can work for a smaller altar, while a larger space may require multiple tables or platforms.
The height of your altar is also important as it represents the connection between heaven and earth. You can use boxes or crates to elevate your platform if needed.
Step 4: Cover the Table/Platform with a Tablecloth
Once you have set up your table/platform, cover it with a brightly colored cloth. Traditional colors for Dia De Los Muertos include purple, yellow, orange, and pink. These colors are believed to attract spirits and add vibrancy to the celebration.
It is also common to use a white cloth as the base and add colorful decorations on top.
Step 5: Create Levels
Creating levels or layers on your altar adds dimension and allows for more space to display items. You can use boxes, crates, or even books to create different heights on your altar. This will help make your display more visually appealing and allow you to include more decorations.
The highest level of your altar should be towards the back, representing heaven, while the lower levels represent earth.
Step 6: Add a Photo or Memento of Your Loved Ones
Including a photo or memento of your loved ones on your altar serves as a personal touch and allows you to honor their memory. You can also include items that were significant to them in life, such as their favorite food or drink.
But remember, the altar is not just for one person. It is a collective space to honor all those who have passed on.
Step 7: Arrange Traditional Elements
Next, arrange your traditional elements on the altar. Start with the marigold flowers, placing them around and in front of the altar. Then, add your papel picado, sugar skulls, candles, and bread of the dead in a visually pleasing way.
You can also include other traditional items such as papel amate (bark paper), copal incense, or Calaveras (skull figurines).
Step 8: Incorporate Personal Touches
As mentioned before, your altar should be a reflection of your loved ones and their unique personalities. You can incorporate personal touches such as adding their favorite items or including things they were passionate about, like a book or hobby.
It is also common to include a mirror on the altar, which symbolizes the reflection of life and death.
Step 9: Light Candles and Incense
Once your altar is set up, light your candles and incense. The flickering flames and sweet aroma of copal will help guide the spirits to their altars.
It is important to keep an eye on lit candles for safety reasons. Consider using battery-operated candles if you have young children or pets in the house.
Step 10: Share Your Altar with Others
The final step in decorating for Dia De Los Muertos is to share your altar with others. Invite family and friends to come visit, share stories about your loved ones, and partake in the traditional offerings placed on the altar.
This is a time to celebrate and remember those who have passed on, so make sure to take photos and create lasting memories with those you love.
Remember that your altar is a personal space, and it should reflect your unique relationship with death and honoring the departed. Use this opportunity to creatively express yourself while also honoring tradition.
Following these steps on how to decorate for dia de los muertos will help you create a beautiful and meaningful altar for Dia De Los Muertos. Remember to honor your loved ones, celebrate their lives, and embrace the rich cultural traditions of this holiday. Happy decorating!
Do You Need to Get Help From a Professional?
Creating a Dia De Los Muertos altar is a meaningful and personal endeavor that many people find fulfilling to do on their own. However, you might consider seeking the assistance of a professional if you’re aiming for a more elaborate or intricate design that requires specific skills or materials. Professional decorators can offer creative ideas and help source unique decorations that may be difficult to find on your own.
Additionally, if time is limited or you’re planning a larger event where multiple altars are needed, a professional can ensure the project is completed efficiently and beautifully. Ultimately, whether you choose to enlist professional help or not, the most important aspect is that the altar reflects your personal connection to your loved ones and the rich traditions of Dia De Los Muertos.
Conclusion
As you complete the creation of your Dia De Los Muertos altar, take a moment to reflect on the profound cultural and personal significance of this tradition. Building an altar serves not only as a way to honor those who have passed but also as a way to connect with and celebrate life. It allows families and communities to come together, share memories, and appreciate the rich tapestry of their history and heritage.
Each altar is a unique expression of love, remembrance, and respect—crafted with care and filled with meaningful symbols that bridge the past with the present. By participating in this tradition, you are keeping alive a vibrant cultural practice that teaches us about the continuity of life, the power of memories, and the enduring bonds that connect us with those who came before. As you light the candles and remember your loved ones, may your heart be filled with warmth, peace, and joy. Thanks for reading this article on how to decorate for dia de los muertos.