Ofrenda

An ofrenda (Spanish: "offering") is a collection of objects placed on a display during the annual and traditionally Mexican Día de Muertos celebration. An ofrenda, which can be large is usually created for an individual person who has died and is intended to welcome them. They are filled with the deceased personal objects, picture of the person and food.[1]

Elements

An ofrenda can be decorated with Marigolds. The Marigold's purpose in an ofrenda is to attract the souls of those who died with the use of the plant's vibrant colors and its fragrance.[2] They can also be used to set up a path fro the souls to find their way back home. Candles are also used to guide the souls of those who are returning back to the living.[3] Pictures of the deceased person are placed at the top of the altar to show who is being celebrated and welcomed back. Food and beverages are also included in the ofrenda as a peace offering and nourishment for the souls after their journey back to the living world.[4] Pan de Muerto is also included in the ofrenda as it is a bread that is traditionally baked to symbolize the cycle of life and death.[5] Sugar skulls are also included in ofrendas to symbolize the sweetness of life and death. Papel picado is used to decorate the ofrenda to add color and also it symbolizes how fragile life is[6] and it is also used to represent wind and air.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Coco: The Importance of the Ofrenda Explained". Screen Rant. September 2017.
  2. ↑ Librarian, OLLU. "Research Starters: Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead: Marigolds". libguides.ollusa.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
  3. ↑ Acosta, Tiffany. "Dia de los Muertos: How to make an ofrenda and what traditionally goes on one". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
  4. ↑ wpengine (2020-11-10). "The Importance of Food in Día de Muertos". The Digital Literature Review. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
  5. ↑ "THE ORIGIN OF PAN DE MUERTO AND ITS VARIETIES ACROSS MEXICO". Origin Mexico. 2022-10-11. Archived from the original on 2025-05-14. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
  6. ↑ "What Is Papel Picado & Why Is It Used During Day of the Dead?". Mexico In My Pocket. 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
  7. ↑ "The meanings behind the items on the Día de Muertos ofrenda". Los Angeles Times. 2023-10-25. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
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