The Spiritual Bridge Between Worlds The primary reason for constructing an ofrenda is to create a physical and spiritual bridge between the earthly realm and Mictlán, the underworld where the souls of the departed reside. According to Mesoamerican cosmology, the souls of children, or angelitos, travel to the heavens on November 1, while the spirits of adults, or adultos, arrive on November 2.
Understanding Ofrendas: The Spiritual Purpose of Day of the Dead Altars
It is a visual reminder of the individual being honored, ensuring their specific identity is celebrated. Altars ofrendas form the emotional and spiritual core of Day of the Dead, transforming private grief into a communal celebration.
Photographs: The image of the deceased is the anchor of the altar, making the spirit’s presence concrete. The practice is a profound act of love, a tangible declaration that death does not erase a person, and that memory continues to nourish the family unit.
The Spiritual Purpose and Symbolism of Ofrendas in Day of the Dead Altars
The belief is that the spirit absorbs the essence, or "spirit," of the items, not the physical substance itself. A common configuration is a seven-level altar, mirroring the seven levels the soul must traverse in Mictlán.
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