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How to Make a Day of the Dead Altar. A blending of pre-Columbian and Catholic traditions,
Day of the Dead altars are tributes to deceased loved ones. You can construct an altar to
celebrate the life of someone you lost. You will need Table Tissue paper 2 boxes Photograph
of the dead Pictures of saints Candles Toy and candy skulls and skeletons Incense Food
Flowers Black cloth (optional) and personal objects and belongings (optional). Step 1.
Cover the table with cut tissue paper, or _papel picado_ in Spanish, arrange the boxes
on the table, also covering them with paper so your altar has 3 tiers. Significant colors
for the paper are purple, white, and pink to symbolize pain, hope, and celebration,
respectively. You can also use a black cloth to cover the table and boxes. Step 2. Place
a photograph of the person to whom the altar is dedicated on the top tier of the altar,
along with pictures of saints that are important to the family. Place objects that represent
things that the deceased liked in life, as well as personal belongings, on each tier
of the altar. Step 3. Adorn your altar with candles made of beeswax or paraffin, in different
shapes and sizes, to light the way for the spirits. Place four on the top tier to represent
the four cardinal points of the compass. Step 4. Include toy and candy skulls and skeletons
in your decorations. Three skulls on the second tier represent the Holy Trinity. Step 5. Burn
incense -- especially white copal -- to guide the dead to the altar. Step 6. Include food
on your altar. Traditional Day of the Dead bread, or _pan de muerto_, is eaten by the
dead when they come to visit their loved ones. For adults, put other traditional food on
the altar, such as tamales and mole. For children, leave sweets and fruit. Step 7. Scatter your
altar with yellow marigolds to represent life's brevity. Remember and honor your passed loved
ones and celebrate their lives every November. Did you know Mexico City is built on the ruins
of the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan.