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Day of the Dead Celebration (Celebracion Dia de los Muertos) | Muy Bueno

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SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO SEE MORE VIDEOS: http://bit.ly/1r4I59N Día de los Muertos is one of my favorite holidays! I hope you are inspired to celebrate the lives of your departed loved ones.

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A Heartfelt Work of Art

by May Herz

are an essential part of the Day of the Dead celebrations. The word Ofrendas 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 ofrendas for their defunct relatives are actually worshiping them. Nothing further from the truth. The vast majority of Mexicans are Christian Catholics, so they only worship God.

O frendas are set up to remember and honor the memory of their ancestors. Before setting an altar, they thoroughly clean their house. We must remember they are going to have very important "visitors".

The ofrenda is set on a table, covered with a fine tablecloth, preferably white. Then the papel picado, cut tissue paper, is set over the cloth.

Several levels can be set on the ofrendas. Generally, on the top level, the images of Saints and the Crucifix are set.

For each deceased relative, a candle is set. Their light is thought to guide them on their way back.

The light of the candles also called ceras -waxes- symbolize Jesus Christ Reborn and faith.

Flowers, specially Cempasuchitl, adorn the ofrenda.
Flowers represent the fugacity of life.

Salt and water are also essential; they are set to quench the thirst of the souls, tired from their long trip. Water also purifies and cleanses.

Incense, Copal, is burned and thought to elevate prayers to God.

Pictures of the defunct are placed on the ofrenda, as well as some of their favorite clothing, perhaps a hat or a shawl. For the children, they place small toys.

Food is specially prepared for the souls. Their preferred dishes are cooked for them and placed on the altar: mole, tamales, fruits Pan de Muerto. , arroz rojo -red rice-, hot chocolate and dried fruit. Some times cigarettes or liquor if the dead relative enjoyed them when alive. And of course

It is important to mention that they will not eat the food, they only enjoy the aroma.

Sometimes a cross is made with petals of the cempasuchitl flower. Also with the petals, paths are set to guide the souls to the ofrenda.

Sugar skulls and clacas -skeletons are also included.

In many towns, there are contests of ofrendas. Judges go house by house and elect the three most beautiful altars. Ofrendas are works of art, ephemeral art that is!

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The Day of the Dead Ofrenda | Inside Mexico

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A Heartfelt Work of Art by May Herz are an essential part of the Day of the Dead celebrations. The word Ofrendas 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 ofrendas for their defunct relatives are actually worshiping them.

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EPIC! Books

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Drawing a Marigold

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http://howtodraw.123peppy.com/marigold/1862 Let us Learn How to Draw Marigold For Step by Step Guide for How to Draw Marigold Go to http://www.howtodraw.123peppy.com for more How to Draw

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Easy to follow directions, using right brain drawing techniques, showing how to draw a Day of the Dead Skull.

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Skeletons are scary, right? Not if you're celebrating Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

REMEMBERING RELATIVES

Day of the Dead combines the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors with All Souls' Day, a holiday that Spanish invaders brought to Mexico starting in the early 1500s.

The holiday, which is celebrated mostly in Mexico on November 1 and 2, is like a family reunion-except dead ancestors are the guests of honor. Day of the Dead is a joyful time that helps people remember the deceased and celebrate their memory.

TREATS FOR THE DECEASED

First, people set up a candlelit altar in their homes so spirits can find their way back to their relatives. The altar also offers some of the favorite foods of the deceased-just in case they get hungry. Items that were important to the ancestors when they were alive, such as a favorite book or musical instrument, are placed on the altar as well.

Then it's off to the graveyard for a big party. Families bring a huge feast to eat while they clean tombstones, sing songs, and talk to their ancestors. Parents might even introduce a baby to a grandparent who died before the baby was born.

FUNNY BONES

And don't forget the skeletons. During Day of the Dead, life-size papier-mâché skeletons and miniature plastic or clay skeletons are everywhere. Why? Mexicans honor their ancestors on Day of the Dead, but they're also reminding themselves that death is just a part of life. Hanging out with skeletons reminds people that one day they will be skeletons-but not for a very long time!

The skeletons are posed doing all sorts of wacky things, such as playing guitar, taking a bath, or making tortillas. Apparently people aren't the only ones who get to have fun on Day of the Dead!

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Skeletons are scary, right? Not if you're celebrating Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Day of the Dead combines the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors with All Souls' Day, a holiday that Spanish invaders brought to Mexico starting in the early 1500s.