Building an Ofrenda

Día de los Muertos is fast approaching, and after our 2nd Annual Panteón Fest on October 12th, we’re getting into the spirit by creating our own ofrenda here at the shop. Ofrendas are created to honor and remember loved ones who have passed, inviting their spirits from Mictlán, the underworld of Aztec mythology, and are tailored to each individual, featuring their favorite foods and drinks to celebrate their lives and welcome them during Día de Muertos.

At our shop, we’re adding some of our family’s favorite items to our ofrenda—bottles of tequila and beer for toasting our loved ones, tamales and pan de muerto to satisfy their hunger after the long journey, and sweet Mexican candy to remind them of life’s joys. We’re also adding the traditional elements: water to quench their thirst, candles to light their way home, and the vibrant cempasúchil flowers to guide their way. These small yet significant gestures remind us that this celebration is about both honoring the past and embracing the present with love.

Typically, ofrendas include four key elements representing the natural world: Water, Earth, Fire, and Wind. Water quenches the spirits' thirst, papel picado symbolizes wind, candles represent fire to guide them, and flowers, especially the iconic cempasúchil, signify the earth. Other offerings, like incense for purification, food, drinks, and personal items such as photos, serve to remind spirits of their time in the terrestrial world.

As we keep building our ofrenda here at the shop, we’d love to hear about yours. What do you include to honor your loved ones? Drop a comment below and share your favorite elements.