Altar created by Leah Shelleda
Our
What a surprise it was when we saw our Mexican “Sacred Heart” banner in Brides magazine! (Oct. 2012 issue.) Their theme was “Fiesta Mexicana”.

Luna Bazaar’s

The Day of the Dead is soon going to be the setting for a new Pixar movie.
No doubt, key design elements of the film will be skeletons, banners, votives, and marigolds.

Each year there are cultural celebrations
throughout the world focused on honoring the memory of deceased family members,
friends and ancestors.  When the
Spaniards arrived in the New World at the end of the15th Century, the Roman Catholic All Souls Daymerged
with the ancient traditions of Central and South American civilizations, to
develop the holiday we know today as Dia
de Los Muertos; or Day of the
Dead.  

It is believed by the Central and South American
people who celebrate this day that death is a time of transition when the
Soul moves from this life to the next. On the days between October 28^th
and November 2^nd communication can be established between worlds to reflect
on the meaning of life and the passage of death.  Large festivals are held in which shrines are
built in honor of loved ones and the favored foods of the departed are cooked
and shared throughout the celebration.

Elaborate decorations are used to enliven the
mood; flowers, sugar skulls, banners, garlands. All varieties of personal
objects are used in memory of the dead, to express the joys of life.  

The Mexican cempasúchitl
(marigold) is the traditional flower used to honor the dead.  These flowers are utilized and mimicked by
similarly formed paper and fabric decorations, such as pompoms.

Marigold Harvest for Day of the Dead in Mexico 

It’s easy to see why tissue paper pom-poms are used to represent marigolds in Day of the Dead celebrations.
(Flower photo from The Lovely Plants.)
In the Luna Bazaar store see: .Mango tissue paper pom-poms and Yellow tissue paper pom-poms.

For those of you looking to join in on the
festivities, you can find decorations at Luna Bazaar to help you make the most of your experience.

Panels from our paper Our beautifully handcrafted Mexican Banners offer vibrant colors with a traditional aesthetic. Each banner is 13 feet long, and is actually made in Mexico, unlike many others. The paper is hand-cut by artisans using chisels and a top pattern as a guide.

Although
the tissue paper was originally brought to Europe from China and then
to New Spain, the indigenous people of Mexico had already been using
handmade paper, along with the tradition of cut decorative and
ceremonial images for centuries. Today, this traditional paper art is
used as decorations for all occasions and gives an immediately festive
look to any celebration.

Votives for your celebration. Go to Luna Bazaar’s We also carry a large variety
of lovely vases to best incorporate the presence of flowers into your
celebration, as well as complimentary candle holders for twinkling tea lights.

In Mexico, where ancient pre-Hispanic traditions
mixed with European religious ritual, Altars are built to incorporate offerings
in dedication to the deceased.
Traditionally the four main elements of nature are represented in the
Altar.  Earth is assimilated by the
presence of the crop, for it is believed by the Mexican people that Souls are
nourished by the aroma of food.  Tissue
paper is most often used to represent wind, because of the movement that it
produces.  Water is placed as an offering,
often in a decorative container, to quench the thirst of Souls who have
traveled far to reach the Altar.
Candles are lit to portray each Soul that the Altars are meant for.  An extra candle is lit to commemorate the
Soul that has been lost.

Consider our gift bags to wrap small offerings and
gifts, or perhaps our beautiful ceramic dishes for food.  No matter how far you want to take the
celebration, there is room for creativity and originality in your own perspectives
on ritual and festivity.  As with any
holiday, you may make it your own interpretation to enhance on those traditions
with respect and enthusiasm.