What are 3 important parts of Day of the Dead?

Day of the Dead: 5 Essential Elements of the Altar

White Tablecloth and Salt. Most altars have a simple white table cloth, often one that has been passed through generations, covering the different levels.
Cempasuchil Flowers.
Copal Incense and a Cross.
Food and Drink.
Portrait.

What are the three levels of ofrenda?

Ofrendas are often divided among three tiers:

The top level features images of the lost loved one and/or photos of saints.
The second tier is filled with favorite food items. There’s pan de muerto, pan dulce, candy, cereal, liquor and more.
The bottom tier is the most practical.

What do the three steps of an ofrenda represent?

An altar with two steps represents the earth and sky. With three steps, the altar depicts purgatory, earth, and heaven, or the Holy Trinity. The true masterpieces are the altars with seven steps.

What are the three levels of a Day of the Dead altar?

The most common ones have three levels, which represent heaven, earth, and the underworld.

What needs to be on an ofrenda?

Photos and favorite objects: Ofrendas always include photographs of the deceased person(s) which in conjunction with the smells and colors of the flowers, candles and incense help the spirits determine where they should go to reunite and commune with their relatives.

What are 4 elements of a traditional Dia de los Muertos altar?

There are a lot of aspects to these elaborate altars, the most common symbolizing the four main elements: water, fire, earth and wind. A cup of water will normally be placed on the altar to quench the thirst of the spirits as they make their journey from the afterlife to visit the land of the living.

What is on the bottom tier of an ofrenda?

The bottom-most tier almost always contains lit candles, and might also have a washbasin, mirror, soap, and a towel so that the spirit of the deceased can see and refresh themselves upon arrival at the altar.

Why are marigolds used for Dia de los Muertos?

The Aztec name for the flower is cempasúchil, and the flowers are believed to help guide lost souls. It’s believed that their pungent smell is what helps guide souls to the ofrendas. They are also referred to as “Flor de Muerto” or “Flower of Dead” and symbolize the beauty and fragility of life.

What does Las Calaveras de Azucar represent?

This time of year, you see them everywhere: sugar skulls, or calaveras de azúcar. These skulls “represent death,” explains Juan Aguirre, director of Mano a Mano, a New York-based non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating Mexican culture and promoting the understanding of Mexican traditions.