Dia de Los Muertos Glossary

Alfenique: A special confection used to fashion skulls, fruits and other figures.

Angelitos: The souls of the children who have died, literally “Little Angels.”

Altar de Muertos: The offering that family and/or friends prepare for their loved ones.

Arco: Decorated arch sometimes placed on the graves or on the altar de muertos.

Atole: An ancient drink made from corn meal and water flavored with various fruits.

Calacas: Whimsical skeleton figures that represent death.

Calavera: A skull, also slang for “Daredevil”

Calaveras: Songs and poems about the festival.

Calaveritas de Azúcar: Sugar skulls made for the deceased loved ones with their names on the forehead of the skull.

Catrina: A wealthy woman (said in a sarcastic manner)

Careta: A mask worn by dancers at the end of the celebrations
to scare the dead away.

Copalli: A scented resin used to make incense.

Dia de Los Muertos: Day of the Dead

Dia de Todos los Santos: All Saint’s Day

Golletes: Doughnut shaped bread, glazed with pink colored sugar that is placed on the altar.

Illuminacíon: The ceremony that takes place in the cemetery, where hundreds of candles are lighted to guide the souls to their altars.

Mole: A thick sauce made from a variety of ingredients including chiles, sesame seeds, herbs, spices, chocolate/fruit.

Ofrenda: An offering refers to the goods set out on the altars.

Papel Picado: Colorful tissue paper with intricate, festive designs cut out.

Pan de los Muertos: Bread of the dead.

Zempazuchitl: A yellow marigold, the flower of the dead.