el alfeñique
the special cooked sugar paste used to form skulls, flowers and other figures for the Día de los Muertos.
el altar de la ofrenda
the altar of the offering
elaltar de muertos
the offering prepared for the deceased
el angélito
the little angel (used to refer to the soul of a child)
el arco
the arch (sometimes placed on the grave or on the altar)
el ataúd
the coffin
el atole
the hot drink made of corn, water and fruit flavorings
la calaca en papel maché
the paper maché figure
el candelero
the candlestick
las calacas
the skeletal figures that represent death
la calavera
the skull
las Calaveras
the songs and poems written about the festival
la calavera de azúcar
the sugar skull
las caretas
the masks worn to scare off the spirits at the end of the celebration
las catrinas
the skeletons, dressed like rich women, who represent death
el cementerio
the cemetery
el cempasúchil (cempazúchil)
the Mexican marigold
el flor de muertos
the flower of the dead (another name for the cempsúchil)
el copal
the incense
la cruz
the cross
la danza de los viejitos
the dance of the old people (a humorous dance in which the dancers wear masks of old people)
el Día de los Muertos
the Day of the Dead
el Día Todos los Santos
All Saints’Day
el esqueleto
the skeleton
los dulces
the candies
las flores
the flowers
los gollettes
the doughnut-shaped breads, with pink sugar on them, that are placed on the altar
la guitarra
the guitar
la iluminación
the illumination (the ceremony in the cemetery, during which hundreds of lit candles are thought to guide the deceased souls to their altars)
los mariachis
the Mexican musicians
la mariposa
the butterfly
la máscara
the mask
el mole
the thick sauce made from chilis, sesame seeds, spices, chocolate and fruit (a food typically eaten for this holiday, as well as many other special days)
la Noche de Duelo
the night of sorrow (November 1)
las ofrendas
the offerings
el pan de los muertos
the bread of the dead
el papel picado
the paper cut-out
los serapes
the Mexican blankets
el tambor
the drum
Todos Santos
All Saints, the religious holiday that extends from October 31- November 2
la tumba
the grave