Dia de los Muertos Craft: Paper Marigolds for the Community Altar

What lives must die and what is remembered, lives. We are once again approaching the time of our annual San Jose Rose Garden area Dia de los Muertos Community Ofrenda, a gathering place for people to share, a bridge between cultures and generations, and a beautiful space for all to feel closer to the memory of their beloved dead.

Dia de los Muertos altars take diverse forms and the traditions vary across regions and villages. There are, however, common themes and threads that run throughout many of the ofrendas and festivities. One notable element is the cempaxochitl, or marigold flower, used to form real and symbolic gateways, paths, floral murals, and symbols lending beauty, color, and fragrance to our altars.

We gather every October to make the many paper marigolds that will later be used to decorate the community ancestor altar (October 19 - November 7) and for ourselves (take one home for our own altars). This is a wonderful day of fun and crafting and is an opportunity to connect with old friends, make new ones, and learn about some of the traditions and practices of Dia De Los Muertos.

This event is conducted by community member, Natalia Chang:

Natalia is a magic and medicine maker, a ceremony and ritual weaver, an intuitive and healer with roots in the Sonoran desert and branches in the Bay Area. As a child she built altars, sang to the saguaros, and taught classmates and teachers to energetically clear pain - she thought everyone knew how to do this. When all else failed her, intuition, energy healing, and ceremony saved her life and called her home-to-herself. She is honored to be a keeper of these sacred practices and to guide others on the path.

All are welcome! This is event is Family Friendly! Children must be accompanied by an adult!