Altar for Day of the Dead 2005, Paseo De La Plaza, Olvera Street - the oldest part of Los Angeles
The altar, also called an ofrenda, is the focal point of the 'Dia De Los Muertos' {Day of the Dead) observance. It is generally constructed in the home, but could also be at the gravesite or even at a business establishment. Many families construct altars as an annual remembrance. Beginning in mid October, children and adults prepare to welcome the souls of their dead loved ones, who return home at this time each year to make sure all is well and that they have not been forgotten. Preparation of the altar can be expensive, since anything placed there for the visiting soul, including the dishes for food offerings, must be new. The altar should be placed on a straw mat on the floor or on a table. The altar consists of four levels and four sides, representing the four stages of life, the four points of the earth, the four seasons and the four mathematical points upon which the pyramids were built. Based upon these four points the following are used: The four principle seeds - tomatillo, cacao, chile and corn; The four elements of life - water in a conch shell, fire candles, earth and wind flute, and conch shell. The four stages of life are also represented in the four stages of corn: seed, fresh, corn, dry corn and corn in different foods - tortillas tamales and atole. Olvera Street and Paseo de la Plaza are part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles.
Size: 5256px × 3504px
Location: Olvera Street, Los Angeles, LA County, California, USA
Photo credit: © LE Robshaw / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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