News — dia de los muertos

An altar or ofrenda is a display made during Dia de Los Muertos to honor the memory of your loved ones who have passed away. Traditionally altars will include the four main elements of nature - earth, wind, water and fire. EARTH - Returning spirits are believed to be fed by the aroma of food, thus the earth is represented by fresh fruits and vegetables. WIND - Papel picado is draped around the altar as a form of movement, thus representing wind. WATER - A container of water is placed on the alter to satisfy the thirst of the spirit after its long...

Did you know La Catrina originally had nothing to do with Dia de Los Muertos? The original artist Jose Guadalupe Posada, born in 1852 in the Mexican state of Aquascalientes, began his career as a teacher of lithography. In 1887, he moved to Mexico City where he worked as an illustrator for hire. Much of his work reflected his disdain for the corrupt government during dictator Porfirio Diaz's rule over Mexico City. Although Díaz is lauded for modernizing and bringing financial stability to Mexico, he also led his government in repression, corruption, and excess, and had an apparent obsession with...