THE 10 MOST OUTSTANDING ELEMENTS OF THE ALTAR OF THE DEAD - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The elements of the altar of the dead consist of offerings, gifts and other symbolic objects to commemorate the deceased, honor them and help them in their transition between earth and the world of the dead. An altar is divided into several levels that represent heaven, earth, purgatory, and other religious concepts.

Although there are clear features of European beliefs in most of these altars, the tradition is strongly rooted in pre-Columbian cultures, which celebrated death in a particular way.

For them, the festivities of the dead were not only about feeling sadness and regret for the past, but about an opportunity to connect with loved ones absent and celebrate their life with colors, festivities and food.

Although the Hispanic culture spread throughout Mexico, in this country there is a high level of diversity given its size, its great geographic variety and the various Mesoamerican cultures that resided in different regions of the country.

That is why it cannot be said that all altars of this type have the same elements. However, there are some objects that are used on altars more commonly than others.

Although there is no strict list of the components of an altar for the dead, elements such as water, salt, candles and food are considered essential, given their symbolism or importance in the journey that the deceased make between life and death..

The 10 typical elements of the altar of the dead

1- Representations of the deceased

A simple painting with a photograph of the deceased is enough to remember him. The photograph serves to honor the memory of the specific person being celebrated with the altar. This element is usually the central part of any altar.

2- The bow

In some traditions the arch represents an entrance to the afterlife through which the spirit in question can pass into the physical world. You can only do this trip on the day of the dead.

Not all altars include the arch, nor are all traditions consistent with supernatural visitation, but most tend to have components that emphasize the altar, which is the arch's primary purpose visually.

3- Food

Meals that the deceased enjoyed in life are sometimes offered on the altar. Some believe that the journey from the underworld is long and difficult, and the visiting spirits arrive quite hungry.

Apart from food, you can also see drinks and even cigarettes, if the visitor smoked them during his life.

4- The candles

It is an indispensable component of altars. Candles have their roots in the Catholic Church's custom of lighting candles for the dead.

The candles can have religious symbols imprinted on them, or they can even be shaped like a cross if the creator of the altar is inclined to a Christian religion.

5- The flowers

As in other European cultures and in societies that descend from Europe, flowers are constant offerings for the dead in Mexican culture.

The most common flower on altars of this type is called the marigold flower, which is orange in color.

6- water

Reflection of the purity and purification of the soul, it is another of the natural elements and helps the deceased on their way by quenching their thirst.

7- Dead bread

It is the favorite food of the dead, it cannot be missing from any altar and it is the most popular offering on the day of the dead. It is a cornbread with crust strips that look like bones and sesame seeds to represent the tears of saying goodbye to a loved one.

8- Salt

Along with water and aromatic essences, the priority function of salt is the purification of the soul of the deceased.

9- Religious objects

Crucifixes, rosaries, statuettes and images of Catholic saints are used to guide souls to paradise.

10- Photographs and personal effects

They identify the altar and remind the deceased that he is still fondly remembered.

References

1. Rodríguez, PBD (January 2012). The altar of the dead: origin and meaning in Mexico. Recovered from uv.mx
2. Unknown Mexico. (2017). Altar of the dead, elements that it must carry and its meaning. Recovered from mexicodesconocido.com.mx
3. Grose, R. (October 17, 2017). The elements of the Day of the Dead offering. Recovered from aboutespanol.com
4. Castillo, JC (October 28, 2016). What should an altar of the dead carry? Recovered from elsouvenir.com
5. CityExpress. (2017). The elements of an altar of the dead and their meaning. Recovered from cityexpress.com