Día de los Muertos is a Mexican tradition that dates back around 3,000 years, with roots in pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican cultures such as the Olmec and Aztec. It is one of the most famous and widely celebrated holidays in Mexico and has also gained popularity beyond its borders.
Today, Día de los Muertos—also known as the Day of the Dead—is celebrated in many Latin American countries and in U.S. states with large Mexican communities, such as California and Texas.
The purpose of this Mexican tradition is to honor loved ones who have passed away. It’s a celebration of life and memory, finding joy in remembrance. To honor the dead, families create altars adorned with photos, favorite foods, personal belongings and other meaningful items that reflect the lives of those being remembered.
The meaning behind the altar
An altar, or “ofrenda,” is a central part of Día de los Muertos traditions. Each altar is carefully arranged with symbolic items that honor and welcome the spirits of the departed. Every ofrenda represents the four natural elements: water, wind, earth, and fire.
- Papel picado: Colorful, decorative paper banners traditionally used in Mexican celebrations are placed around the altar’s edges. They represent wind, symbolizing the movement of air and the fragility of life.
- Candles: Represent fire and are often arranged in the shape of a cross to symbolize the four cardinal directions, so that spirits can find their way to the altar.
- Pan de muerto: Represents earth through food offerings. This traditional “bread of the dead,” along with calaveritas de azúcar (sugar skulls) as well as the loved one’s favorite dishes, symbolize the pleasures of life on earth.
- Water: A pitcher of water is placed to refresh the spirits after their journey back to the world of the living.
There are various ways to set up an altar. Some people place the altar on a flat surface, while others arrange it into multiple levels. The most common design features three levels, symbolizing heaven, earth and the underworld, from which spirits return to visit their loved ones.
Other iconic symbols of Día de los Muertos:
You may also wonder about the many symbols and meanings behind the recognizable icons of Día de los Muertos. Here are some of the most emblematic ones:
- Cempasúchil flowers: Also known as “flor de muerto” or marigolds, these bright orange and purple blooms bring color and life to the celebration. They represent earth and grief, and their strong scent is believed to help guide spirits back to their loved ones. Conveniently, they bloom right around the time of the festivities.
- La Catrina: A female skeleton dressed as an elegant upper-class woman from the early 1900s. Originally created as social satire, La Catrina has become one of the most recognizable figures of Día de los Muertos, appearing in decorations, art and ofrendas.
- Monarch butterflies: These butterflies migrate to Mexico each fall, arriving around Nov. 1, coinciding with the holiday. They are believed to carry the souls of the departed, returning to visit the living during the celebration.
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