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Ofrenda - Day of the Dead Shrines and Altars
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La Ofrenda - How to Create a Shrine for Your Dearly Departed, Day of the Dead Style
What an ofrenda is, how to make one (and for whom), and where to buy items for a traditional Day of the Dead shrine.
And ofrenda is an temporary altar constructed for the Day of the Dead, a holiday celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countries as well as the southwest United States on November 1 and 2. Although primarily a Hispanic tradition, it is slowly growing into a multiculture event. The ofrenda is built to honor loved ones and friends who have died. Instead of a somber remembrance it is filled with color, humor, food and parties. Ofrendas are built in homes, public places and on graves.
There are very specific items that go into making a traditional ofrenda. November 1st is a day to honor children who have passed on. The altars built for them have their favorite toys and foods. November 2nd is the day to honor adults. A bottle of tequila or other local liquor is often put on an adult ofrenda. Orange marigolds are the favorite flower to decorate with. There are foods like Pan de Muerte (bread of the dead) and decorated sugar skulls as other treats. There are many candles, including Saints candles and votives. Pictures of the deceased are prominently displayed. A dressed skeleton called Catrina represents the ancient goddess of death is often included along with a representation of the Virgin Mary.
Altar de Muertos by Ute Hagen on Flickr.
And ofrenda is an temporary altar constructed for the Day of the Dead, a holiday celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countries as well as the southwest United States on November 1 and 2. Although primarily a Hispanic tradition, it is slowly growing into a multiculture event. The ofrenda is built to honor loved ones and friends who have died. Instead of a somber remembrance it is filled with color, humor, food and parties. Ofrendas are built in homes, public places and on graves.
There are very specific items that go into making a traditional ofrenda. November 1st is a day to honor children who have passed on. The altars built for them have their favorite toys and foods. November 2nd is the day to honor adults. A bottle of tequila or other local liquor is often put on an adult ofrenda. Orange marigolds are the favorite flower to decorate with. There are foods like Pan de Muerte (bread of the dead) and decorated sugar skulls as other treats. There are many candles, including Saints candles and votives. Pictures of the deceased are prominently displayed. A dressed skeleton called Catrina represents the ancient goddess of death is often included along with a representation of the Virgin Mary.
Altar de Muertos by Ute Hagen on Flickr.
What is an Ofrenda?
An ofrenda is a type of shrine or altar created in Mexico and the southwestern United States. Traditionally it is for the Day of the Dead celebrations held on November 1st and 2nd. The can be small home altars dedicated to family members who have passed on or large community shrines where many people are honored. They can even be for non-family members or celebrities you admire.
The Key Elements of an Ofrenda
Look farther on this page for where to get them
This is just what you start with. Be as creative and elaborate as you want. Remember that the people in the spirit world connect through the senses of sight, smell, and sound.
- Photos of the honoree(s).
- Statues and icons of saints and deities.
- Lots of candles, both 7 day saints candles and plain votives.
- Lots of flowers, fresh if you can get them, silk if you can't. And flower petals, too. Marigolds are the traditional flower to use.
- Pan de muerto, or Bread of the Dead.
- Skull shaped candy made from sugar and chocolate is best, but any candy is good. Candy is supposed to be mainly for children who have passed on, but I know my grandparents loved it in life, so I'm sure they love it in death.
- Skeleton dolls, or calaveras.
- Cigarettes and/or liquor if the honoree(s) enjoyed them in life.
- Papel picado, or cut paper.
- Favorite foods of the honorees.
Examples of Ofrendas
These links can give you some ideas as to how create your own.
- El Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead Ofrendas
- A nice outline of the components of an ofrenda.
- La Ofrenda
- Another outline (with photos) of the basic elements of an Ofrenda.
- Contemporary Day of the Dead Altar to Barry White
- Click the numbers to view the different items that make up this modern Dia de los Muertos ofrenda.
- Traditional Day of the Dead Altar for Family
- Click the numbers to view the different items that make up this traditional Dia de los Muertos ofrenda.
- The Ofrenda
- Description of an ofrenda and it's elements.
Ofrenda Videos
For more ideas, or just to enjoy watching
Fresh Flowers for Your Ofrenda
An integral part of any ofrenda is a display of fresh flowers. Although home grown marigolds are traditional, I'm sure beautiful flowers from around the world would be appreciated by the subject of your shrine if you don't have flowers of your own.
You could employ floriography, the practice of assigning meaning to flowers, to choose flowers that express particular things. For example, you might have red roses for a deceased spouse because they mean passionate love, while white roses stand for virtue and purity so they would be good for children. And iris is considered a messenger of the gods so it would be good if you want to increase communication between you and the deceased. There is a helpful list of flower meanings on this Wikipedia entry: Language of Flowers
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You could employ floriography, the practice of assigning meaning to flowers, to choose flowers that express particular things. For example, you might have red roses for a deceased spouse because they mean passionate love, while white roses stand for virtue and purity so they would be good for children. And iris is considered a messenger of the gods so it would be good if you want to increase communication between you and the deceased. There is a helpful list of flower meanings on this Wikipedia entry: Language of Flowers
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Saints Candles or Veladoras
Saints candles are usually "seven day" candles which means they generally last for seven days if burned straight through. Each one is dedicated to a specific saint or holy person intended for a specific purpose. Sometimes they come with prayers printed on them that you are supposed to say each day as you pray at the altar. They can be scented or not. Sometimes they come in different colors. They are meant to help you attune to the saint and benefit from their qualities. It's easy for me to find saints candles in the hispanic sections of my local stores, but if you don't have that luxury they are readily available on eBay.
Some common saints candles are for Our Lady of Guadelupe, St. (Archangel) Michael, St. Jude, the Virgin Mary, Guardian Angel, Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Joseph. Our Lady of Peace, St. Anthony, Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and the Holy Family.
The saints candles go on the upper tier of the ofrenda. Use as many as you like.
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Some common saints candles are for Our Lady of Guadelupe, St. (Archangel) Michael, St. Jude, the Virgin Mary, Guardian Angel, Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Joseph. Our Lady of Peace, St. Anthony, Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and the Holy Family.
The saints candles go on the upper tier of the ofrenda. Use as many as you like.
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Recipe for Pan de Muerto
or Bread of the Dead
Although the spirits can't eat the bread they enjoy the aroma. Click on the link below for the recipe at Voodoomama's Day of the Dead Altars lens.
Papel Picado (Cut Paper)
Banners made from tissue paper cut with elaborate designs are one of the highlights of the Day of the Dead decorations. Cut paper was brought to Mexico via China, where the mexican people first encountered it at the "store" at the hacienda they lived on. Traditionally they are hand made in mexico using a chisel to cut shapes out of layers of tissue paper.
It is common to use cut paper decorations all over the world. In my part of the world, the midwestern United States, we all made snowflakes in elementary school. Kirigami is the japanese art that combines origami and cutting paper. Mexico is the only place that uses a chisel to make the cuts. There is a lot more useful info at the Wikipedia entry for Papel Picado, including the meanings of the different colors of paper.
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It is common to use cut paper decorations all over the world. In my part of the world, the midwestern United States, we all made snowflakes in elementary school. Kirigami is the japanese art that combines origami and cutting paper. Mexico is the only place that uses a chisel to make the cuts. There is a lot more useful info at the Wikipedia entry for Papel Picado, including the meanings of the different colors of paper.
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Day of the Dead Candles
Copal Incense
Although any incense will do, if you want to create a traditional ofrenda copal is what you want. It is available as both sticks of incense and chunks of resin. Copal was used by ancient mesoamericans, which shows again that the practice of building an Ofrenda comes from the native peoples of Mexico who were there before the Spanish conquered them. Among neopagans copal is said to be good for purification purposes.
Sugar Skulls Recipe
Make your own grim sugar candies
The link below will take you to the recipe at Voodomama's Day of the Dead Altars Squidoo lens.
Skull Molds for Sugar, Chocolate, Soap, etc.
Day of the Dead Dolls
These skeleton dolls are for the children, supposedly, but I happen to know that those in the spirit world have a pretty good sense of humor (they have no bills to pay, they can laugh). I think the dolls are for them too.
Silk Rose Petals
Fresh marigold petals are used to make a path to the ofrenda as well as decorate other parts of it, but I wouldn't be surprised if silk flower petals are now being used too.
Day of the Dead Fabric
Make an altar cloth, cushions, curtains for a table, etc.
Find More Day of the Dead Art Here
Either for your ofrenda, or just because you like it!
Wonderful Books About Building Shrines and Altars
Ancestors: Dead Doesn't Mean Gone
Day of the Dead Tweets
Image courtesy of soupshow on Flickr.
Donate to the National Latino Children's Institute
The National Latino Children's Institute (NLCI) focuses the nation's attention on policies, programs, and community initiatives that lead to the full and healthy development of Latino children.
Are you inspired?
This lens is a labor of research love. I wanted to learn more about Ofrendas because I think they are fascinating. If you have anything to add from personal experience, please do! Any other comments are welcome, too.
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printabledolls
Feb 5, 2012 @ 10:30 am | delete
- I made a shrine some months ago, I love to read stories thank you so much
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ritamaargarita19@aol.com
Oct 22, 2011 @ 9:33 pm | delete
- local folklore - 3 levels for your altar/ofrenda to represent the 3 deaths 1) actual death, 2nd is the mass/funeral service or burial and the 3rd death is when you are forgotten by your friends and relatives, thanks for sharing
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AddaptAbilities Oct 27, 2010 @ 1:07 pm | delete
- LOVED this lens. I live in San Francisco, where Day of the Dead is a pretty big deal, and I love seeing the public ofrendas that get set up here and there. I combine Day of the Dead with Samhain, the Celtic ancestor festival (which lives on as Halloween in the States).
I LOL'd when I saw the DotD Hello Kitty. That was epic.
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missbat
Oct 11, 2010 @ 1:47 am | delete
- I always want to make an ofrendas for my deceased family members but I've never gotten to it. Maybe this year, now that your lens has given me great tips!
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drs2biz
Oct 5, 2010 @ 9:49 am | delete
- Thanks for sharing this interesting lens with us. I have lensrolled it to my Tomb Sweeping Day and Ghost Festival lenses.
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