The Meaning and Symbolism of Día de los Muertos Altars

Don’t miss the Día de los Muertos Celebration at Old Town Library on Saturday, November 4 from Noon-3:30PM. The entire community is invited to celebrate the Day of the Dead and learn about this traditional Mexican holiday.

To get you started, here’s a quick look at the meaning of the celebration and one of its centerpieces: the altar.

Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is a Mexican celebration when families gather to honor the memory of deceased loved ones on November 1 and 2. Spirits are guided home to enjoy offerings left for them on meticulously crafted altars. Its roots are a fusion of traditions found in Europe and Mesoamerica, particularly the ancient Aztec empire.

The altar is a complex creation with incredible symbolism as each element carries specific meaning. Here are the most important elements and what they mean.

The Día de los Muertos Celebration at Old Town Library will include family-friendly activities, bilingual storytime, sugar skull decoration, live music and dance, and food. The event will end with a mogigangas (giant puppet) parade. The entire schedule of events can be found on the Library District’s events calendar.