You didn't know these 10 fun facts about the Day of the Dead altars

  The flower of the dead: don’t think it’s a coincidence that all altars always have cempasúchil. According to tradition, this type of flower guides the souls of the deceased. One of our favorite celebration of the year is getting closer 💜💙💛❤️ And I will be in Mexico during the altar season! I have to bring back many things to decorate the house ✂️ #LiveColorfulLife #ColorLove #DayoftheDead #DiadeMuertos #AltardeMuertos #FallisHere 🍂🍁 A photo posted by LIVE COLORFUL (@livecolorfulco) on Sep 23, 2016 at 1:19 PDT There are different types of altars: you may have seen them, but you haven't looked closely at their structure. The simplest ones have only two levels, which represent heaven and earth; others have a third level that represents the underworld; and finally, the most common ones have 7, which are the levels the soul must cross after death. #altardemuertos A photo posted by Danny (@ohnoitsdanny) on Oct 31, 2015 at 3:25 PDT Water, earth, fire, and air in the same altar: something that cannot be missing from a Day of the Dead altar is the representation of each of the four elements. Water should be placed in a clay vessel, earth is represented with fruits, fire with candles, and finally, air with papel picado. My #dayofthedead #altar last year. I'm so excited I love #halloween and #diademuertos ♥♥ #october #october31 #allhallowseve #altardemuertos #sugarskull #favoriteseason #carvedpumpkin #pumpkin #pumpkincarving #tradition #decoration #trickortreat #november #noviembre1y2 #creepy#orange#picture #death #deathcult A photo posted by Saturnine (@saturnine.photo) on Sep 22, 2016 at 11:09 PDT The food cannot be missing: on the altars, the favorite dishes of the deceased should be placed, in addition to the traditional sugar skulls, with their respective name, and pan de muerto. My #dayofthedead #altar last year. I'm so excited!! Love #halloween and #diademuertos ♥♥ #october #pandemuerto #allhallowseve #altardemuertos #sugarskull #favoriteseason #aztecskull #skull #sugar #traditional #bread #tradition #decoration #trickortreat #november #noviembre1y2 #creepy#orange#picture #death #deathcult A photo posted by Saturnine (@saturnine.photo) on Sep 26, 2016 at 5:50 PDT The typical drinks: of course, water must be present to quench the deceased's thirst after their long journey, but don't forget to put their favorite drinks: beer, tequila, pulque, etc. Mexico 💀💕 #altardemuertos #méxicomágico #tequilajalisco #colorful #pink #skull #nofilter #travel #roadtrip #visitmexico A photo posted by Liliana (@lilianamoruaa) on Jul 23, 2016 at 5:26 PDT Pre-Hispanic tradition: today, we know that the tradition of the Day of the Dead is already a mix of Catholic and indigenous traditions, however, its origins date back long before the Conquest. It is said that the Mexicas, Mayans, Totonacs, and Purépechas already celebrated the Day of the Dead thousands of years ago. Day of the Dead altar in tribute to Frida and Diego #altardemuertos #CasaAzul A photo posted by Victor Gibrann Ramos Cuevas (@ramoscuevasvic) on Jan 7, 2016 at 10:20 PST The butterflies are also present: interestingly, the Day of the Dead coincides with the migration of the monarch butterflies. It is believed that the spirits of the deceased travel on the wings of the butterflies, who help them visit the world of the living. #erestradición #altardemuertos #carmenmayoral #altar A photo posted by Carmen Mayoral (@carmen__mayoral) on Nov 7, 2015 at 2:13 PST Invitation with aromas: to help the deceased easily reach their altar, incense (usually copal) should be placed, which will carry the smell of the dishes to our beloved deceased. Death comes shining, with a thousand striking colors... #ofrenda #altardemuertos #dayofdead #tradition #Mexico #pandemuerto #calaverita #mexico_maravilloso #vive_mexico A photo posted by Eliud Luévano (@eliudpuentes) on Nov 5, 2015 at 1:51 PST Companion for the journey: according to tradition, the deceased come to the world of the living to spend a day with their family, but to do this, they must cross the river of the underworld. It is believed that placing a figure of a dog on the altar will help the deceased on their way. My #dayofthedead #altar last year. I'm so excited!! Love #halloween and #diademuertos ♥♥ #october #ribblet #bones #allhallowseve #altardemuertos #favoriteseason #aztecskull #skull #sugar #traditional #papermache#mexicantradition #decoration #trickortreat #november #noviembre1y2 #creepy#orange#picture #death #deathcult A photo posted by Saturnine (@saturnine.photo) on Sep 26, 2016 at 5:52 PDT Symbol of purification: don’t forget to put a small container of salt on the altar, as it is believed that this purifies the souls. where did maria elena go?? 🙄❤️💀👸🏻💐🍶⚰🇲🇽#diademuertos #2denoviembre #altardemuertos #famila #amor #adondevanlosmuertos A photo posted by V e g a n a (@anati0n) on Nov 2, 2015 at 10:54 PST     Prepare these delicious recipes for the Day of the Dead: Chicken with black mole in pressure cooker Red tamales Flan Rice pudding in the Castilian style