Las Ofrendas
This is the Spanish word for the altar built to honor deceased loved ones.
What is an ofrenda?
This country is the primary origin and cultural home of Día de los Muertos celebrations.
What is Mexico?
Día de los Muertos is primarily celebrated across these two days in November.
What are November 1st and November 2nd?
This sweet, anise-flavored bread is baked in the shape of a bun and decorated with bone-like shapes.
What is pan de muerto?
This 2017 Disney-Pixar animated film brought the imagery of Día de los Muertos to a massive worldwide audience.
What is Coco?
These three-dimensional representations of human skulls are made of sugar and decorated with bright colors.
What are calaveras (or sugar skulls)?
This ancient Mesoamerican civilization celebrated a month-long festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl, influencing modern traditions.
Who were the Aztecs?
November 1st is traditionally dedicated to remembering this specific group of deceased individuals.
Who are children (or angelitos)?
This traditional Mexican dish features seasoned meat wrapped in corn dough, steamed in a corn husk, and served during the holiday.
What is a tamale?
This elegant skeletal lady, originally drawn by José Guadalupe Posada, has become the iconic symbol of the holiday.
Who is La Catrina?
This element represents the purification of the soul and helps quench the spirits' thirst after their long journey.
What is water?
DAILY DOUBLE! Día de los Muertos merged with these two Roman Catholic holidays introduced by Spanish colonizers.
What are All Saints' Day (Nov 1) and All Souls' Day (Nov 2)?
November 2nd is dedicated to honoring this group of individuals.
Who are adults?
This thick, rich sauce made of chiles, spices, and chocolate is frequently placed on altars as a favorite meal for the dead.
What is mole?
This breed of hairless dog is believed to act as a spiritual guide for souls navigating the underworld.
What is a Xoloitzcuintli (or Xolo)?
This bright yellow or orange flower is known as the "flower of the dead" and guides spirits to the altar with its scent.
What is the cempasúchil (or marigold)?
In 2008, this global organization added Día de los Muertos to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
What is UNESCO?
Many families begin preparing their homes, cleaning gravesites, or remembering pets as early as this evening in October.
What is October 31st?
This traditional, warm, corn-based beverage is often flavored with cinnamon, vanilla, or chocolate during the cold nights of the holiday.
What is atole (or champurrado)?
This Mexican artist painted a famous mural featuring La Catrina alongside her husband Diego Rivera, cementing her place in pop culture.
Who is Frida Kahlo?
This decorative tissue paper has intricate cutout designs and symbolizes the wind and the fragility of life.
What is papel picado?
In Aztec mythology, this was the name of the underworld or "place of the dead" where souls traveled.
What is Mictlán?
According to tradition, spirits are believed to arrive at midnight on these dates, which is why celebrations often peak during these hours.
What are nocturnal hours/overnight?
This pumpkin dish, sweetened with piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar) and cinnamon, is a staple seasonal offering.
What is calabaza en tacha (candied pumpkin)?
This Spanish term refers to the whimsical, brightly colored folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures often seen in holiday parades.
What are alebrijes?