Notice the different levels of the altar. The traditional altar will have 7 levels; however, most family altars have only 2 or 3, sometimes 4. The important thing is to have a some levels in the altar.
In the picture above, you see the photograph of the man being honored; a bright colored blanket; candles; fruit; pan de muertos; bottles of beer or perhaps tequila; marigolds; and the papel picado. Now look carefully at the floor of the picture....it is sand. Now look at the next picture...
Some talented sand artist made the likeness of the honored man in the sand. It was amazing to look at the photograph and then at the sand picture and see how perfect the likeness was. This certainly is not traditional but it was a beautiful altar. Votive candles surround the sand picture.
The next altar had purple, paper flowers suspended from the ceiling to make the altar fancy! Here you can see many candles; the incense burner is at the bottom, center of the picture; pan de muerto; marigolds; and a chain of flowers hangs around the photograph of the person.
This is the bottom of the altar. Just look at the marigolds! The little white cards that you see sitting around are explanations of things on the altar (for the benefit of those who are learning about the altars).
And here is a close-up of the sugar skulls (las calaveras); some fruit; the upside down cup is on the jug of water; candles; and papel picado.
I hope you enjoyed and learned a little about the altars.
Hasta luego.
1 comment:
I'll bet that altar with the purple and the orange was very striking in person.
Speaking of marigolds, I planted yours right after your party, kept them watered and dead-headed all summer & fall, and they were gorgeous. Craig put a fresh layer of pine straw around them last week, and I noticed today that they are still blooming, even after two heavy frosts. I hope their seeds will sprout and spread next summer.......they remind me of you everytime I walk past them, which is 3-4 times a day.
xo
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