The vibrant array of Day of the Dead decorations is central to Día de los Muertos, a vivid holiday that beautifully merges the ancient customs of Mesoamerica with the influence of Spanish Catholicism. Within Mexico and some areas of Latin America, the celebration celebrates departed loved ones through altars, food, music, and gatherings of townspeople.
“To honor the dead is to honor life itself” – Mexican proverb
During the last few years, the cultural tradition has grown a huge interest due to the Disney animated film Coco, which showcased its deep symbolism and emotional power. Watching Coco myself became an annual tradition with my grandmother.
Although I wasn’t raised with this side of my heritage until college, learning about Mesoamerican and Latin American mythology in school sparked my own exploration. I became drawn to the depth of the celebration, especially how communities like Oaxaca mark the holiday. I explored many community events, watched films, and videos to appreciate its significance. Día de los Muertos is a celebration I now deeply appreciate. My aunt, who has a deep passion for the festivities and bric-a-brac, maintains an ofrenda in her home, which serves as a beautiful, constant connection to this cherished tradition.
For other families, especially those who didn’t grow up with the tradition or are just starting to learn, Día de los Muertos is much more than colorful Day of the Dead decorations and sugar skulls. Families can celebrate their ancestors in many ways that are significant to traditions and ritual blending, to building a Day of the Dead altar.
The Mythical Roots of Día de los Muertos
The core rituals and roots of Día de los Muertos are over 3,000 years old. The Spanish conquistadors made an unsuccessful attempt to erase this ritual after they conquered the Aztec empire in the 16th century. The indigenous celebrations and rituals honoring the dead were moved to align with the Catholic calendar’s All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, which are held on November 1st and 2nd every year, respectively.
The origins of Dia de los Muertos trace back to the mythological soil of Mesoamerica, where cultures like the Aztec, Maya, Inca, Toltec, and Olmec had fostered rich, strong beliefs centered around death, rebirth, and the afterlife. None of these cultures feared death; instead, they revered it. For these civilizations, death was a transformational transition, an important part of the soul’s journey, and a “coming home.”
The Journey to Mictlan
Death, especially during the Aztecs’ empire, was not termination, but a trip through the underworld realm of Mictlan, ruled by the skeletal Goddess, Mictlantecuhtli, with her husband Mictecacihuatl. They believed souls traveled through nine dangerous levels to achieve peace regardless of whether they died heroic or non-heroic deaths, relying on rituals and sacrifices for their journey. However, the myth does have many regional versions out there for families to explore.
In another enduring Día de los Muertos myth, Xoloitzcuintli, which represents an ancient dog breed (known as Xolo), would help spirits cross the Chiconauhuapan River to reach the underworld.
Based on the Aztec calendar, month-long rituals honoring the dead, complete with celebrations and elaborate offerings, were historically performed during the ninth month. This ancient belief in cyclical time, that life and death are truly a sacred cycle, leads to today’s practice of welcoming ancestors back each year with altars, celebrations, provisions, and Day of the Dead decorations.
Day of the Dead Decorations: A Bridge Between Worlds
The Día de los Muertos today manifests these same ancient beliefs. Each Day of the Dead decoration represents a spiritual map and a deep connection and respect to our ancestors. Every candle, marigold, and photograph is a symbolic offering, guiding spirits home and honoring their heritage.
The Day of the Dead altar, also called an ofrenda, is a bridge between worlds, echoing the mythic journey of Mictlan. By understanding these mythological beginnings, families can strengthen their own sense of devotion to the holiday, not just through celebration but through history.
Building the Day of the Dead Altar: An Ofrenda of Memory
“In every marigold petal with a flicker of candlelight, a memory of a loved one blooms from loved ones on the other side coming to see their family members remembering them in love.” – Arielle Gonzales
At the heart of Día de los Muertos is the sacred altar known as the ofrenda. More than a collection of decorations, the Day of the Dead altar is a sacred space filled with symbolic Day of the Dead decorations that invite ancestors to join the living once again.
The Four Elements and the Path Home
The Day of the Dead altar is based on the rich intersection of myth, memory, and ritual and it traditionally incorporates representations of the four elements. Earth is represented by food, wind by the colorful papel picado, fire by the sacred candlelight, and water by drink offerings to refresh the spirits and guide them home. Salt, something to drink (water or something drinkable), and photographs are also added. Salt is included to purify the soul for its final crossing. Photographs ensure the spirits recognize their way home. Without a photo, you can’t cross over. Photos help our family members here remember as well, because sometimes memory fades until you look at a photo of a loved one.
Calaveras: Symbols of Rebirth and the Sweetness of Life
Skulls are symbols of rebirth and transformation, aligning with other artistic offerings due to the mythical aspects of tradition and colors. Sugar skulls also symbolize the sweetness of life. These skulls are often the most misunderstood part of this celebration because their meaning goes beyond aesthetics. Their symbolism ties into the spiritual beliefs of the Nahuatl-speaking people who first originated the tradition. Sharing this context, as noted by PBS, helps people understand the true significance of the celebration and why skulls are used.
Papel Picado: The Fragile Bridge of Wind
Papel picado, or cut tissue paper with different versions, allow a way for souls to travel through and visit their loved ones who remember them. Representing the element of wind, these brightly colored banners are carefully strung across the altar and gathering spaces. The delicate nature of the cut paper symbolizes the fragility of life, while the continuous movement of the material allows a clear, open path for the souls to travel through and visit the loved ones who are honoring them.
Cempasúchil: The Flower That Guides the Soul
Marigolds (called tagetes erecta or cempasúchitl in Nahuatl) for the Day of the Dead altars are one of the most essential elements, symbolizing the “flower of the dead.” These beautiful, scented, bright orange or yellow flowers bloom as guides to help attract the souls to the ofrenda. Each petal guides them to their home on this special day, with incense burning around to draw them in.
The arrangement of marigolds are a spiritual invitation, a place where the living welcome the dead with love, memory, and intention. Traditionally, the ofenda is adorned with the symbolic: candles to light the way, marigolds to guide spirits, photos to honor loved ones, and food to nourish their journey.
Modernizing the Day of the Dead Altar: Blending Tradition with the Digital Age
Today, families are reimagining the Day of the Dead altar to reflect both traditions and modern life. Some families use digital photo frames, LED candles, or even QR codes that link to music playlists or family stories. Others incorporate personal touches, such as favorite snacks of their loved ones, handwritten letters, or cherished objects that belong to the departed. These modern-day Day of the Dead decorations don’t replace traditions but expand them, allowing each ofrenda to become a unique expression of remembrance.
Creating Your Day of the Dead Ofrenda
Creating an ofrenda doesn’t need a very large space or elaborate setup. A bookshelf, windowsill, or corner table can become a meaningful shrine that most families can use. The key that matters most is the intention, and coming from the heart. Start with a cloth or a runner, add framed photos, and surround them with Day of the Dead decorations like papel picado, sugar skulls, and small candles all around. Include items that show your loved one’s personality, like books, jewelry, stuffed animals, or even a favorite coffee mug.
Families that are limited with resources can get creative with handmade crafts, printed photos, and repurposed materials. The ofrenda is not supposed to be about perfection, but built for connection. Building a Day of the Dead altar is an act of storytelling, a way to say, “ You are remembered. You are welcome. You are honored. You are loved.”
Other phrases can be used as well: “Te extrañamos” (We miss you) and “Siempre en nuestros corazones” (Always in our hearts).
Día de los Muertos Ofrenda Guides
For inspiration or guidance, this ofrenda guide gives a helpful overview of traditional offerings and their symbols. Or, for more DIY guidance, see HipLATINA for altar-building tips for step-by-step DIY advice on how to create a distinctive ofenda in your home.
Day of the Dead Food as Ancestral Connection
Food, which is a symbol of the earth element, has a very special role in Días de los Muertos observances because of the connection that ties across generations. Many classic foods, such as pan de muerto, tamales, pozole, sopa azteca, and mole, among others, are central to the spiritual and cultural essences of this tradition. Families can offer the deceased’s favorite foods, which can include meals, calabaza en tacha, and sugar skulls on the ofenda. One of my favorites is carmel flan, which I eat every year now since I like sweets.
Pan de muerto, or “bread of the dead,” with its bone Day of the Dead decorations, is a symbol of death and life in cycles. Tamales bring to mind ancestral crops ceremonies that were part of planting corn. Some families place this bread with water or tequila at the altar because when souls arrive, they will be thirsty from a long trip. Mole, with its sophisticated, rich taste, is a tribute rendered to history, as well as to heritage. These comfort foods are sometimes left on the día de los muertos ofrenda with vibrant Day of the Dead decorations, a hospitable banquet for ancestors to partake in. Preparing these familiar foods is a ritual custom, a means by which families share story, flavor, and remembrance that will sustain body and soul.
Flavor and Fusion: Culinary Storytelling for Bicultural Families
Bicultural families combine these traditional recipes with traces of their multicultural heritage, mixing foods together that reflect their own heritage. Sweet potato tamales, or Cajun-seasoned mole, for example, are delicious reminders of cultural heritage. To prepare these dishes together is a storytelling technique that respects family heritage. Every recipe and technique comes to interpretation, teaching the generations of today about gratitude for their heritage, and honoring their elders.
For recipes and inspiration on how to celebrate this bountiful food heritage, this Blog presents the main food recipes and where to go in Mexico City for the foodies for the delish foods for Day of the Dead.
Day of the Dead Art, Music, and Spiritual Practices
When it comes to both music and dance, Día de los Muertos heavily relies on visuals. Day of the Dead decorations, such as papel picado, sugar skulls, cempasúchil (marigold flowers), and face painting transform homes and public spaces into rainbow-hued memorials. Papel picado is cut tissue paper that is an icon of the fleeting nature of life and decorated calaveras (skulls) honor the beauty of death.
Day of the Dead Art as Ritual and Memory
La Catrina, the elegant skeleton dressed in lavish attire, reminds us that death is the great equalizer as she holds vanity and status with grace and satire. La Catrina is one of the most iconic symbols of Día de los Muertos, representing the Mexican approach to death: one that is festive, accepting, and full of life.
Copal, which is sacred incense made from tree resin, is burned near the ofenda to purify the space and guide the spirits home. Traditions are usually created in family units, from altar ornaments to small skeletons, so art is a family ritual of memory.
The Rhythms of Remembrance: Music and Dance
Music and dance are key components of Day of the Dead celebrations that include mariachi, jarocho, and cumbia. All these dances add life through movement to what might be a mournful celebration. Parades and performances in most towns are welcomed by incorporating these rhythms.
Songs like La Llorona, a haunting ballad rooted in Mexican folklore, evoke themes of grief, longing, and maternal sorrow. And of course, from Coco, Recuerdame (Remember Me). The signature theme song, Coco sings this song to Mama Coco as a modern anthem of remembrance, its gentle melody and lyrics reminding us that memory keeps love alive, or afterlife.
Beyond the Ofrenda: Spiritual Practices and Personal Devotion
Spiritual rituals intensify emotional connections that bridge prayer and meditation as common practices of ancestors to be performed at the ofrendas. Storytelling spaces can offer a space to share memories and keep loved ones close. Having candlelights, naming the dead ancestors as special loved ones, maintaining moments of silence looking at the ofenda are all ways of sharing ancestral presence and healing.
Another fun fact is that in some regions of Mexico, sand sculptures or tapestries are built, known as tapetes de arena.
These rituals, no matter their Catholic ritual, Indigenous spirituality, native roots, or individualistic roots, keep Día de los Muertos alive in the soul of each family member. For a deeper dive into how art, music, and spiritual practices shape the celebration, Los USA offers such a rich exploration of the emotional passion and soulful cultural artistry.
Celebrating Day of the Dead Across Generations
By using Day of the Dead decorations as special artifacts, storytelling becomes more festive across each generation. Elders can often lead in sharing memories while arranging marigolds together, candles, and photos on the ofrendas. Parents can make it inviting by blending old with new traditional elements with modern style. Children and teens can help with crafting, painting sugar skulls and choosing meaningful things to include on the ofrenda. Sharing rituals turn Day of the Dead decorations into bridges between past and present, allowing each generation to honor their ancestors.
“Our memories, they have to be passed down by those who knew us in life, in the stories they tell about us.” — Héctor, Coco
By involving kids and teens in meaningful ways, families can explore media that reflect the spirit of the celebration. Films like Coco, The Book of Life, Macario (1960), Maya and the Three (Netflix), La Leyenda de la Nahuala (2007), and Salma’s Big Wish offer vibrant storytelling that explores ancestry, twists, remembrance, and cultural pride.
Families can also learn about Angelitos (children who passed on) who visit and then leave on November 1st, and monarch butterflies that are believed to help hold the spirits of the departed on. It is based on how monarchs arrive in Mexico for the winter on November 1st. For more activities on how to get kids involved in celebrating Día de los Muertos, visit Lingokids. These activities can spark conversations about family history and the meaning behind Day of the Dead decorations. Teens can help build the ofenda with digital elements with music playlists, video tributes, and QR codes linking to family stories. These can be very soulful, creative ways to ensure that the Día de los Muertos remains a dynamic, inclusive tradition that grows with each generation to come.
Honoring the Past from Tradition to Transformation
Día de los Muertos is more than just a joyous celebration, but a rediscovery. For many, especially bicultural families or those who didn’t grow up with the culture, it means reconnecting with something ancestral by navigating histories of tradition, migration, assimilation, and silence.
Reclaiming rituals like building ofendas or choosing to have meaningful Day of the Dead decorations as a way to heal, to honor, and to remember through celebration of life. Día de los Muertos is a celebration of life, not just sorrow, to show your ancestors of multiple generations that they can still come together in life and the afterlife. These acts restore identity and offer a safe space for reflection, especially for those who feel disconnected from their roots or loved ones.
The use of storytelling, art, and shared rituals, the younger generations can explore their heritage with pride and curiosity. Whether painting sugar skulls, watching films like Coco or Macario, or helping to create Day of the Dead decorations, children become more willing to learn about cultural memory and importance. These special moments spark questions, deepen understanding, and build bridges between generations. For a deeper look at how history, literacy, and culture shape this tradition, explore the tradition to share with families and friends.
Honoring ancestors in modern life is such a powerful act of resistance and love. It reminds us that we are a part of something so much more woven into a lineage of resilience and spirit.
“As long as we remember them, they are with us; the moment we forget them, they are truly gone” – Carlos Sanchez (The Book of Life)