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Symbolism of the Ofrendas
Water - Fountain of life and used to quench the thirst
of the dead.
Salt - In Pre-Columbian México salt was called tlaxcal
and it symbolized fraternity and love for one another. Since
the evangelization, salt has come to symbolize purification
of the soul by Christ.
Candles - Lit to light the path for the dead. Symbol of
faith and hope.
Kopal Incense - Sacred offering to the Gods "food
for the Gods."
 Flowers
- Symbol of love and friendship.
White flowers for children symbolize their purity. The
yellow and orange cempascuchil (sem-pah-soo'-cheel)
or marigold flowers are symbolic of the preciousness and
gift of life.
Dog - In Mesoamérica, figurines representing the
hairless dog were used to help the dead cross the waters
on the path to the underworld. Dog's also symbolize loyalty.
Petate - The woven floor mat is placed at the foot of the
altar/ofrenda so that the spirits may rest after their long
journey. In ancient México, the dead were rolled
in a petate in preparation for cremation; this practice
continues in present day México for the very poor
who can not afford a casket.
Día de Muertos Vocabulary
 Angelitos
(ahng'-hel-lee-tohs), m. Souls of the little children, literally
"little angels."
Ánimas (ah'-nee-mahs), f. Souls. Figures representing
souls of the dead.
Calaca (kah-lah'-kah), m. Slang for skull or death.
Calavera (kah-lah-beh'-rah), f. Skull and/or satiric poetry
or verses, and mock obituaries published for day of the
dead.
Calavera Catrina (kah-lah-beh'-rah kah-tree'nah), f. The
name of the most famous skeletal image designed by José
Guadalupe Posada.
Calavera Zaptista (kah-lah-beh'-rah zah-pah-tees'-tah),
m. José Guadalupe Posada image named after Emilano
Zapata.
Cempasúchil (sem-pah-soo'-cheel), f. Marigold flowers
- "flower of the dead."
Día de los Ánimas (dee'-ah theh lohs ah'nee-mahs),
m. All Souls' Day (November 2nd.)
Día de Todos los Santos (dee'-ah theh toh'-thos
lohs sahn'-tohs), m. All Saint's Day (November 1st.)
 Día
de los Muertos (dee-'ah theh los mwehr-tos), m. Day of the
Dead (November 1st & 2nd).
Esqueleto (es-keh-leh-tóh), m. Skelton.
Fiesta (fee-ess'-tah), f. Feast, entertainment, or festival.
Ofrenda (oh-fren'-dah), f. Altar or offering.
Pan de Muerto (pahn-theh-mwehr'-toh), m. Sweet bread prepared
for the Day of the Dead.
Papel Picado (pah-pel pee-kah'-tho), m.
Cut tissue paper or foil banners; literally, "perforated
paper."
Bibliography
Childrens Books
 Ancona,
George. Fiesta U.S.A. New York: Lodestar Books, 1995.
Ancona, George. Pablo Remembers: The Fiesta of the Day
of the Dead. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books,
1993.
Andrade, Mary J. The Vigil of the Little Angels: Day
of the Dead in México. San Jose, CA: La Ofreta
Review, 2001.
Freschet, Gina. Beto and the Bone Dance. New York:
Worzalla, 2001.
Harris, Zoe & Williams, Suzanne. Piñatas
and Smiling Skeltons - Celebrating Mexican Festivals.
Berekley: Pacific View Press, 1998.
Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane. Day of the Dead: A Mexican-American
Celebration. New York: Holiday House, 1994.
Johnston, Tony. Day of the Dead. New York: Voyager
Books, 1997.
Kindersley, Barnabas and Anabel. Celebrations: Children
Just Like Me. New York: DK Publishing, Inc., 1997.
Lasky, Kathryn. Days of the Dead. New York: Hyperon
Books for Children, 1994.
Levy, Janice. The Spirit of Tio Fernando/El Espíritu
de Tío Fernando: A Day of the Dead Story/Una Historia
del Día de los Muertos. Illinois: Albert Whitman
& Company, 1995.
Luenn, Nancy & Chapman, Robert. A Gift for Abuelita:
Celebrating the Day of the Dead. Flagstaff: Rising Moon,
1998.
Marcos, Subcomandante. The Story of Colors - La Historia
de los Colores. Guadalajara: Ediciones Cdolectivo Collejero,
1996.
Müller, Birte. Felipa and the Day of the Dead.
New York: North-South Books, Inc., 2003.
San Vincente, Luis. The Festival of the Bones. El
Paso: Cinco Puntos Press, 2002.
Winter, Jeanette. Calavera Abecedario: Day of the Dead
Alphabet Book. New York: Harcourt, Inc., 2004.
Adult Books
 Andrade,
Mary, J. Day of the Dead Through the Eyes of the Soul.
California: La Oferta Review, Inc., 2001.
Berdecio R. & Applebaum, S. Posada's Popular Mexican
Prints. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1972.
Carmichael E. & Sayer, C. The Skelteon at the Feast:
The Day of the Dead in México. Austin: University
of Texas Press, 1992.
Garcia Godoy, Juanita. Digging the Days of the Dead.
Boulder: University of Colorado Press,1998.
Gonzalez, Rafael. El Corazón de la Muerte.
Berkeley: Heyday Books, 2005.
Greenleigh, John & Beimler, Rosalind. The Days of
the Dead /Los Días de Muertos: México's Festival
of Communion with the Departed. San Francisco: Collins
Publishers, 1991.
Merrill, Yvonne, Y. Hands-On Latin America: Art Activities
for all Ages. Utah: Kits Publishing, 1997.
Trenchard, Kathleen. Mexican Papercutting. New York:
Lark Books, 1998.
Paz, Octavio. The Labyrinth of Solitude: Life and Thought
in México. New York: Grove Press, Inc., 1961.
Salinas-Norman, Bobbi. Indo-Hispanic Folk Art Traditions
II. Oakland: Piñata Publications, 1988.
Sayer, Chloe. México: The Day of the Dead, An
Anthology. Boston: Shambhala Redstone Editions, 1993.
Vigil, Angel. ¡Teatro! Hispanic Plays for Young
People. Englewood: Teacher Idea Press, 1996.
Westridge Young Writers Workshop. Kids Explore America's
Hispanic Heritage. New México: John Muir Publications,
1992.
Websites
www.dayofthedead.com
www.crizmac.com
www.mexicansugarskull.com
www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org
* Images from 2007 Microsoft "Live Search"
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