Dia de muertos y halloween

The offering of the Day of the Dead and the meaning of its elements

Place the Offering for the Dead is an ancient tradition , a ritual that connects us with those loved ones who are in the afterlife. It is a sacred act and in turn profane, for the sake of giving our dead , we remember and with whom we share the bread , salt , fruit , water , sweets (if small ) , wine and cigarettes ( if theywere adults), and assumptions should not miss the favorite dishes of the deceased ( s ) .

Giving our dead is a way to keep close to them, talking with his memory , his life , with shared experiences. But it is also a rite full of syncretism , being shaped by a cultural mix between the old and the new world , between Europe and America, where the Europeans brought some flowers , wax and candles,while the natives they added the incense purifying , aromatic food and marigold flower .

An offering of Day of the Dead is colorful by the colors of the flowers, candy skulls and papel picado , a particular scent by mixing fragrances of food , incense , copal and new flowers. Giving on the Day of the Dead , is shared with the deceased , which is why every year thousands of families andhundreds of places in Mexico is revived this tradition.

For a Day of the Dead offering what is, in form, you must have several essential elements, such as marigolds, salt, water, candles, incense and copal, among many others, all with a meaning, history and mysticism, hence part of the offering. Here we list those elements and their meaning. Notes to not missing your offering:

Water. The source oflife is offered to the spirits to mitigate their thirst after their long journey and to strengthen their back. In some cultures symbolizes the purity of the soul.

Salt. The element of purification, helps the body will not rot in your return trip for next year.

Candles and candlesticks . In antiquity ocote slits were used , the candle is currently used in various forms : candles , candles orwax . The flame means " light “, faith, hope 's Guide, with its flickering flame so that the souls may come to their former places and light return to his home . In several indigenous each candle represents a decedent , ie , the number of candles that will depend on the altar the souls who want to receive the family. If the candles and the candlesticks are purple , a sign of mourning , and ifyou put four of these in a cross, representing the four cardinal points , so that the soul can be oriented to find your way and your home .

Copal and incense. The incense was offered by the Indians to their gods and that incense was not yet known , this came with the Spanish . This element sublime prayer or praise. Fragrance of reverence. Used to clean the place from evil spirits and so thesoul can enter your home safely.

Flowers. They are a symbol of the festival for its colors and scented trails . Garnish and flavoring the place during the stay of the soul, which is going to leave happy , the wallflower and the cloud can not miss as the color signifies purity and tenderness, and accompany the souls of children.

In many parts of the country it is customary to put petals roadsthat serve to guide the deceased the graveyard to the offering and vice versa. The yellow flower of marigold (Zempoalxóchitl) leafless, is the way of color and odor that trace the routes to the spirits.

The backpack . Among the many uses of the mat is the bed, table or shroud. On this particular day in work so that the souls rest and tablecloth to place food of the offering.

The izcuintle .Izcuintle in toy dog , which should be present on the altars for children, so that the souls of the children feel happy to come to the banquet . Izcuintle puppy , is what helps souls to cross the mighty river Chiconauhuapan , which is the last step to reach the Mictlan , Mexican mythology that is the lowest level of the land of the dead.

Bread. The fraternal offer is bread. The church is...