Glossary of Altar Terms

Here are definitions for some of the items used most often for the altar.

• Ofrenda (offering) - The table or area decorated to hold the offerings (food, beverage, candies, etc., for the spirits.)
• Atole - A gruel sweetened and flavored with crushed fruits and sugar, and thickened with masa. Flavorings can vary.
• Calavera - Candied skulls, usually made of sugar or chocolate, although rarely eaten; also satirical verses and/or obituaries.
• Cempasúchil - Orange-yellow marigold flower, favored for decorations. Spelling varies.
• Cielo - The sky, or heaven. Represented by a piece of fabric or plastic draped overhead, above the table (ofrenda).
• Copal - Resin from tropical trees, used to make varnishes. Burning it as incense dates back to Pre-Hispanic times.
• Dulce de Calabaza - Candied pumpkin.
• Pan de Muerto - Bread of the dead. A sweet, rich coffee cake decorated to look like bones.