Day of the Dead: ofrenda An altar, or ofrenda, at a Day of the Dead festival in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland, California. The Mexican holiday is celebrated annually in Fruitvale and other parts of the United States with large Hispanic populations. (more) ofrenda holiday altar Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Print print Print Please select which sections you would like to print: Table Of Contents Cite verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/ofrenda Feedback Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by Written by Charles Preston Charles Preston is Associate Editor for Religion at Encyclopædia Britannica. Charles Preston Fact-checked by Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Sep. 26, 2025 •Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is an ofrenda? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "An ofrenda is an altar set up in homes for the Day of the Dead holiday. The Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico, neighboring Latin American countries, and the United States on November 1 and 2. It is thought that on this holiday the deceased return to the world of the living for a visit, and the ofrendas honor, welcome, and sustain the souls of the dead during their annual return." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are common items found on an ofrenda? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Common items include marigolds, photographs of the deceased, skeleton figurines, water, candles, and incense. A special perforated decorative paper called papel picado is commonly found on or around ofrendas. In Mexico the top of an ofrenda is often covered with a serape, a long woolen shawl. Food items, offered because it is thought that the dead are hungry after their journey back to the world of the living, include skull cookies, pan de muerto (bread emblazoned with a cross), and anything else that the departed might have enjoyed while alive." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Why are marigolds used on an ofrenda? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The orange blossoms of marigolds are commonly found on an ofrenda, because the flowersu2019 strong scent helps the deceased locate the altar." } } ] } Top Questions What is an ofrenda? An ofrenda is an altar set up in homes for the Day of the Dead holiday. The Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico, neighboring Latin American countries, and the United States on November 1 and 2. It is thought that on this holiday the deceased return to the world of the living for a visit, and the ofrendas honor, welcome, and sustain the souls of the dead during their annual return.

　　What are common items found on an ofrenda? Common items include marigolds, photographs of the deceased, skeleton figurines, water, candles, and incense. A special perforated decorative paper called papel picado is commonly found on or around ofrendas. In Mexico the top of an ofrenda is often covered with a serape, a long woolen shawl. Food items, offered because it is thought that the dead are hungry after their journey back to the world of the living, include skull cookies, pan de muerto (bread emblazoned with a cross), and anything else that the departed might have enjoyed while alive.

　　Why are marigolds used on an ofrenda? The orange blossoms of marigolds are commonly found on an ofrenda, because the flowers’ strong scent helps the deceased locate the altar.

　　ofrenda, decorated altar set up in homes for the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) holiday as celebrated in Mexico and neighboring parts of Latin America as well as across the United States. This distinctive offering table, constructed especially for the holiday, honors and welcomes the deceased with photos, candles, flowers, food, and other decorations.

　　Day of the Dead figurinesSkeletal figurines often adorn ofrendas. Pottery and paper, c. 1960, from Oaxaca, Mexico; in the collection of the Girard Foundation, Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.(more)The Day of the Dead combines elements of pre-Hispanic ritual and religion with influences of Roman Catholicism, particularly the holidays All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, on November 1 and 2, respectively. It is believed that, during the Day of the Dead celebrations on November 1–2, the souls of friends and family members who have died return to the world of the living for a visit to those left behind. The ofrendas for this holiday are usually set up by October 31 and are taken down after the holiday on November 2, although specific local or family traditions vary, as does personal preference. In recent times it has also become popular for participants to include photographs of pets on their ofrendas and to celebrate deceased cats, dogs, and other beloved animals in the Day of the Dead festivities.

　　Day of the DeadA table is covered with Mexican sugar skulls. Symbols of death, such as skulls and skeletons, are an important part of Day of the Dead celebrations. (more)The style, shape, and ornamentation of ofrendas is largely up to individual celebrants, but there are many traditions that are typical. An ofrenda may have a single level or multiple levels or steps. It is typically covered by a cloth. In Mexico the ofrenda is often draped with a serape, a long, often colorful woolen shawl. Although ofrendas are typically moderately sized and located in private homes, they may also be set up in public, sometimes in grand fashion, in cities across Mexico.

　　Items on an OfrendaCovering clothMarigoldsPhotographsSkeleton figurinesWaterCandlesIncenseSweets and other foodsDecorative paperSaltChristian iconography Orange or yellow Aztec, or Mexican, marigold flowers (Tagetes erecta) are regarded as essential ornaments on an ofrenda. Called cempasúchil (from Nahuatl: cempohualxochitl) or flor de muerto in Spanish, the marigold’s strong scent is thought to assist the deceased in locating the altar. In addition, incense is burned, adding to the altar’s aroma. Sweets are offered to the dearly departed: Especially popular are sugar cookies in the shape of skulls (calaveras), which are sometimes inscribed with the name of a person who died. Other foods on an ofrenda may include corn (maize), fruit, chocolate, and a special bread called pan de muerto that is marked with a cross. It is thought that the deceased get hungry on their journey back to the world of the living, so they need sustenance.

　　Symbolism of the traditional four elements—earth, water, fire, and air—are incorporated into the ofrenda’s collection of objects. The food offered is said to represent earth. Water, which symbolizes purification, is also made available for the returning dead. Fire is represented by candles. The altar or the area around it is often adorned with colorful bits of paper called papel picado, which are designed with cutouts and perforations; this decorative paper represents air or wind, because air and wind can pass through it.

　　Other characteristic decorations on an ofrenda include photographs of the departed, which are said to serve a dual purpose—both reminding participants of those they are honoring and indicating to the dead that they are duly remembered. Objects of importance to the deceased may also be displayed. Christian iconography, such as images of the Virgin Mary or other saints, can also be seen on ofrendas. Salt, sometimes in the shape of a cross, is generally interpreted as signifying purification. Also decking the ofrenda are finely clothed skeletal figurines (calacas), which some people regard as a reminder of our mortality.

　　Charles Preston