The Magic of the Cities.

Zen promotes the rediscovery of the obvious, which is so often lost in its familiarity and simplicity. It sees the miraculous in the common and magic in our everyday surroundings. When we are not rushed, and our minds are unclouded by conceptualizations, a veil will sometimes drop, introducing the viewer to a world unseen since childhood. ~ John Greer

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Ofrenda / Offering


'Offering in the window of a library'
The offerings placed on the altar for Dia de los Muertos usually consist of a wash bowl, basin, razors, soap and other items the traveling spirit can use to clean-up after the journey. Pictures of the deceased are also placed on the altar as well as personal belongings for each person and any other offerings the deceased may enjoy such as a pack of cigarettes or a bottle of tequila. Candles are used to help light the way for the spirits as well as other decorative items such as papel picado (tissue paper cut-outs) wreaths, crosses and flowers. Certain Dia de los Muertos dishes are also placed on the altar to help feed and nourish the traveling souls. Some of these offerings also double as the four main elements of nature — earth, wind, water, and fire. These are represented by movable or light-weight items such as tissue paper cut-outs (wind,) a bowl of water, candles (fire) and food (crops, earth.) Chelsie Kenyon.


Gracias por su visita / Thanks for visiting.

5 comments:

Gregous said...

nice colors and nice halloween theme in this window

Miguel Angel López said...

Como todas las fotografías de tublog espectacular. El colorido y el tema es sensacional. Felicidades.

Rachel said...

I love las calacas. I also love the Mexican view on death. Too many people in my country have so much fear of it.

Kate said...

This is a wonderful photo and good music. I especially appreciate the explanation which adds more than is usually described as part of the display. Tomorrow I'm going to go visit our neighborhood in West St. Paul that has a large community of Spanish-speaking families to see what their community center included this year.

Mélanie said...

gracias para todas estas informaciones .