Day of the Dead Altars

The altar includes four main elements of nature - earth, wind, water, and fire.

Earth is represented by crop: The Mexicans believe the souls are fed by the aroma of food.

Wind is represented by a moving object: Tissue paper is commonly used to represent wind.

Water is placed in a container for the soul to quench its thirst after the long journey to the altar.

Fire is represented by a wax candle: Each lit candle represents a soul, and an extra one is placed for the forgotten soul.

Day of the Dead Bookstore

To make a Day of the Dead altar, you will need the following items:

1. Photo of our Loved One. At the center of the altar is a photograph of the loved one to whom the altar is dedicated. It is decorated with momentos that reflect the individual.

2. It is customary to prepare a feast of foods that the spirits will enjoy. Tamales, mole, pan de muerto, and seasonal fruits are traditionally used, as well as foods that were favorites of the deceased.

3. Marigold Flowers (Cempasúchitl). In addition, yellow and orange marigolds are lavished upon the altar. Marigolds are used because of their abundance and their robust aroma.

4. Sugar skulls and calacas (skeletons). The presence of whimsical calacas offer those in the physical world something tangible that captures the spirit of the loved one.

5. Votive Candles. Purple represents pain, pink celebration, and white hope. Use whatever colors feel right as there is much room for personalization.

6. Grooming items. A bar of soap, a towel, perfume, and the like are placed on the altar in the belief that the dead ones have been on a long journey and would like to refresh themselves for the celebration.

Other items such as paper cut outs, and personal effects of the honoree are added to personalize the altar.

Photo: http://faculty-staff.ou.edu/R/Clemencia.Rodriguez-1/altar/build.html

The Day of the Dead is a time for the dead to return home and visit loved ones, feast on their favorite foods and listen to their favorite music.

Pan de Muerto is a staple at Day of the Dead altars. Here is recipe so you can make it yourself:

Ingredients

1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup (half a stick) margarine or butter, cut into 8 pieces
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 package active dry yeast
1/4 cup very warm water
2 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour, unsifted
1/2 teaspoon anise seed
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons sugar

Instructions

Bring milk to boil and remove from heat. Stir in margarine or butter, 1/4 cup sugar and salt.

In large bowl, mix yeast with warm water until dissolved and let stand 5 minutes. Add the milk mixture.

Separate the yolk and white of one egg. Add the yolk to the yeast mixture, but save the white for later. Now add flour to the yeast and egg. Blend well until dough ball is formed.

Flour a pastry board or work surface very well and place the dough in center. Knead until smooth. Return to large bowl and cover with dish towel. Let rise in warm place for 90 minutes. Meanwhile, grease a baking sheet and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Knead dough again on floured surface. Now divide the dough into fourths and set one fourth aside. Roll the remaining 3 pieces into "ropes."

On greased baking sheet, pinch 3 rope ends together and braid. Finish by pinching ends together on opposite side. Divide the remaining dough in half and form 2 "bones." Cross and lay them atop braided loaf.

Cover bread with dish towel and let rise for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix anise seed, cinnamon and 2 teaspoons sugar together. In another bowl, beat egg white lightly.

When 30 minutes are up, brush top of bread with egg white and sprinkle with sugar mixture, except on cross bones. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

Makes 8 to 10 servings.

From Look What We'Ve Brought You from Mexico

1 cup jamaica (dried hibiscus flowers, available in Latino food markets)
8 cups water
3/4 cup sugar

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat. Let mixture steep for 30 minutes. Strain and refrigerate.

Makes about 8 servings.

Day of the Dead Bookstore

Supplies:
1 set of plastic skull molds
Mixing bowl and spoon
2 cups of granulated sugar
2 teaspoons of meringue powder
2 teaspoons of water
1 piece of cardboard, approximately 5" x 5"

Mix the dry ingredients together in the bowl. Sprinkle the water in and continue to mix until the sugar is completely moistened and becomes the consistency of moist sand. Scoop some of the mixture into the mold and pack it evenly and firmly. Place the piece of cardboard on top of the mold and quickly flip it over so the sugar skull pops out. Very carefully slide it onto a flat surface.

Continue making the rest of the skulls. Let them dry for 24 hours in a dry place.

Icing:
2/3 cup of water
1/2 cup meringue powder
2 pounds of powdered sugar
Electric mixer
Concentrated food coloring (the kind professional cake bakers use)
1 pastry or Ziploc bag
Plastic cups
Spoon

Blend the ingredients with an electric mixer until the peaks form in the icing. If using assorted colors, scoop the white icing into separate bowls and add a dab of different colored food coloring in each one. Mix again. Scoop the icing into the pastry or Ziploc bag (snip the corner for the latter). Continue until you have several bags of different colors. Keep sealed and refrigerated until use.

Makes four small skulls.

http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/crafts/sugarskulls.html

Sugar Skull photo courtesy of User:Spangineer (Wikipedia).

The ancient Aztecs believed that when a person is born they get a nagual, an animal spirit companion who would be at their side throughout life as a soul partner. Animals were honored and revered because they acknowledged the sacred interdependence between humankind and the animal world. Even today, the indigenous people are well aware of the fact that without our animal relatives we would cease to exist. Animal skeletons and skulls are a common element on the Day of the Dead altars and represent the sacred passing of a family pet or Animal Spirits. Our animal relatives are appeased with offerings as are our ancestors.

Pictured is a Day of the Dead decorative altar skull. It is a real raccoon skull. It is not paper maché or clay. It was found by my son who was exploring a century old barn that his uncle purchased in the Midwest. The skull was cleaned, bleached, and blessed, and then transformed into the beautiful work of art that you see in the pictures. It is my Ofrenda a los Naguales (Offering to the Animal Spirits). I have hand painted it with acrylics and inks and strategically placed a few jewels to enhance the traditional design. It is in two pieces; the top of the skull sits on the lower jaw. It measures approximately 14 cm x 6.5 cm by anthropological standards.

Contact me for more information or to commission a unique altar skull for your own collection.