Day of the Dead

ofrenda

La ofrenda

• An altar. It consists of a photo of the one being honored; prayer candles in purple for pain, white for hope and pink for the celebration; pan de los muertos (bread of the dead), a sweetened bread baked in round loaves or skull shapes; marigolds; sugar skulls; papel picado (Mexican tissue-paper decorations); copal (incense to clear the path for spirits return); a glass of water

Papel picado

• Paper art

Papel Picado

piñata

• A piñata is a brightly-colored papier-mâché covering either a clay container or cardboard shape.

day of the dead

• The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died.

calaca

• figure of a skull or skeleton

zarape

• A long blanket-like shawl, often brightly colored and fringed at the ends, worn especially by Mexican men

copal

• Copal is a type of resin produced from plant sap. It is used as incense.

ceras

• Candles used for the altars and the graveyard to illuminate the way for the defunct relatives.

calavera

• skull

cascarones

• festive, hollow chicken egg shells, filled with confetti

marigold

• Flowers used to decorate altars or grave sites.

pan de muerto

• Sweet bread

Oaxaca

• A city in Mexico that traditionally celebrates day of the dead

angelitos

• Little angels. Young children whom have died.

mole

• Spicy flavored sauce

máscara

• People often dress up and wear masks to resemble the dead.

máscara

dulces

• Candy

mariachis

• Mexican band that plays music at the festivities.