Posts Tagged ‘Day of the Dead’

Day of the Dead Altars (Ofrendas)

Filed Under : Blog by KMurray

Oct.30,2017

Day of the Dead Altars (Ofrendas)

Day of the Dead Altars

Day of the Dead is celebrated from October 31st to November 2nd. The celebrations include festivals, visit to grave sites, and preparing the altars or Ofrendas for lost loved ones. Ofrendas can be set up near graves or where the loved one actually died. They are also set up in the home where people believe the spirits will visit.

In Morelos, Mexico the altar is set up in a bedroom with chairs or a bed for the dead to rest on. The living then sleep on the front porch. This is not done out of fear but they want to make the dead comfortable. The altars filled with flowers, candles and much more. Below is a list of the items you would find.

Day of the Dead Altars

Candles…..one for each dead family member. Lighting the way the for the spirits.

Beeswax Candles

Skulls made of wood or sugar…..sometimes marked with the names of the dead family member.

Soap and Small towels….for the dead to wash

Water Jug…for drinking

Salt….a symbol of life

Incense

Bread…Pan de Muertos (Bread of the Dead) is a sweet egg bread and is flavored with cinnamon and anise seed (tastes like black licorice). The bread is then glazed with honey or sprinkled with red or pink sugar. The bread will sometimes be shaped like people or animals.

Pan de Muerto

Flowers…Marigolds (going back to the Aztecs) are used because they are the symbol of the harvest and they are also know as the flower of the dead. Their bright color and strong smell reminded the Aztecs of the sun. You can see the petals scattered from the graves to the home, like a path for the spirits to follow. These bright flowers are colorful enough for the spirits to see after living in so much darkness.

Marigolds….flowers of the Dead

Chocolates

Pictures of the loved ones that have past

Small toys or miscellaneous items the loved ones enjoyed

Coast Hwy Traders

530 S Coast Hwy 101

Encinitas Ca

760-944-1381

Tags : altars, aztecs, Coast Hwy Traders, Day of the Dead, Dia de Los Muertos, flowers of the dead, graves, marigolds, Mexican Folk Art, Mexico, milagros, ofrendas, pan de muerto, saints, skeletons, skulls, sugar skull molds

La Catrina …. Flesh and Blood

Filed Under : Blog by KMurray

La Catrina …. Flesh and Blood

Here in the United States on Halloween you can see ghosts, goblins, princesses and pirates. In Mexico the influence (possibly) of Halloween can be seen in the Day of the Dead celebrations and the many people who bring Jose Guadalupe Posada La Catrina to life.

Jose Guadalupe Posada La Catrina

In Mexico’s capital many celebrations of the Day of the Dead can be found. They highlight the color, local food, Mexican folk art and crafts of the city. The traditional La Catrina with the European style hat can be seen walking around the festivals in the flesh.

People use face paint to create in elaborate fashion La Catrina and the human skull. They use white paint as a base and then black is used to represent eye sockets, nose openings and teeth. Then colors and patterns are added like the decorations on the Day of the Dead sugar skulls. The paint can also extend to their bodies too.

Costumes are also added to the human version of La Catrina. You can see La Catrina as a bride, Frida Kahlo, or in various forms of Mexican traditional dress. These very real depictions of the La Catrina can be attributed to the Mexican culture views on death.

Death is apart of life and should be embraced. Vibrant colors, flowers, wedding veils add life and warmth to the human skeleton of La Catrina.

Coast Hwy Traders

530 S Coast Hwy 101

Encinitas Ca

760-944-1381

Tags : cht, Coast Hwy Trader, Day of the Dead, Dia de Los Muertos, frida kahlo, halloween, human skull, jose guadalupe posada, la catrina, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican sugar skulls, Mexico, skeleton, skulls

La Catrina an Icon of the Day of the Dead

Filed Under : Blog by KMurray

La Catrina and Icon of the Day of the Dead

La Calaveras Catrina by Jose Guadalupe Posada

Jose Guadalupe Posada created the lovely and timeless La Calaveras Catrina (The Catrina Skull) or just La Catrina. Posada was a Mexican revolutionary graphic artist in the late 19th-20th centuries. La Catrina has the European style ornate hat that was popular among the upper classes in the late 19th century. Many of the indigenous women of the time were so influenced by the European styles they started not wearing their traditional clothes and even wore makeup to make their skin look lighter. La Catrina was Posadas reminder to all that regardless of class or stature death equalizes everyone in the end.

La Catrinas made of paper mache at Coast Hwy Traders

The La Catrina is made from all kinds of materials including clay, wood, and paper mache (cartoneria). She is a prominent figure in Day of the Dead celebrations. She is featured in Day of the Dead altars, decorations, including large paper mache skeletons imitating the living.

Posada’s La Catrina has become the image of Death in Mexico and icon of the Day of the Dead celebrations.

La Catrina Statue

Wedding Day La Catrina

The Coast Hwy Traders Mascot…La Catrina

La Catrinas at Coast Hwy Traders

Coast Hwy Traders

530 S Coast Hwy 101

Encinitas Ca

760-944-1381

Tags : altars, artisans of Mexico, cartoneria, cht, Coast Hwy Traders, Day of the Dead, death, icons, jose guadalupe posada, la calaveras catrina, la catrina, Mexican, Mexican Folk Art, Mexico, paper mache, skeletons, skulls, the catrina skull

The Evil Eye…Mal de Ojo

Filed Under : Blog by KMurray

Aug.29,2017

The Evil Eye or Mal de Ojo

The evil eye is a curse believed to be cast by a malevolent glare, usually given to a person when they are unaware. Many cultures believe that receiving the evil eye will cause misfortune or injury.

Talismans created to protect against the evil eye are also frequently called “evil eyes”

Disks or balls, consisting of concentric blue and white circles (usually, from inside to outside, dark blue, light blue, white, and dark blue) representing an evil eye are common.

The evil eye or ‘Mal de Ojo’ has been deeply embedded in Spanish popular culture. In Mexico and Central America infants are considered at special risk for the evil eye and are often given an amulet bracelet as protection. Typically there is an eye-like spot painted on the amulet.

One traditional cure for the evil eye in rural Mexico involves a curandero (folk healer). The healer sweeps a raw chicken egg over the body of a victim to absorb the power of the person with the evil eye. The egg is later broken into a glass with water and placed under the bed of the patient near the head. Sometimes it is checked immediately because the egg appears as if it has been cooked. When this happens it means that the patient did have Mal De Ojo. Somehow the Mal De Ojo has transferred to the egg and the patient immediately gets well.

In some parts of South America the act of ojear, which could be translated as to give someone the evil eye, is an involuntary act. Someone may ojear babies, animals and inanimate objects just by staring and admiring them. This may produce illness, discomfort or possibly death on babies or animals and failures on inanimate objects like cars or houses. It’s a common belief that since this is an involuntary act made by people with the heavy look, the proper way of protection is by attaching a red ribbon to the animal, baby or object, in order to attract the gaze to the ribbon rather than to the object intended to be protected.

purchase your Evil Talisman at Coast Hwy Traders…

Coast Hwy Traders

530 S Coast Hwy 101

Encinitas Ca

760-944-1381

Tags : amulets, Coast Hwy Traders, curandero, Day of the Dead, Evil Eye, local artists, Mal de Ojo, Mexican artists, Mexican pottery, Mexico, ojear, shop local, South America, Spanish, Spanish culture, talisman

The Story of the Tree of life , Arbol de la Vida

Filed Under : Blog by KMurray

Jun.1,2017

The Story of the Tree of Life, Arbol de la Vida

The Tree of Life (Arbol de la Vida) is a clay folk art sculpture from Central Mexico that started in the colonial period.

After the Conquest, the Spanish destroyed religious figures and replaced them with Christian iconography. The original purpose of the Trees of Life was evangelical, specifically the story of Adam and Eve. A reminder of original sin.

Trees of Life are a traditional wedding gift because of the relation to the first human couple (Adam and Eve). They are also considered to be a talisman for the couple for fertility.

As mentioned above, the traditional Trees of Life are based on the first couple, Adam and Eve. You will see many trees of life with images of the couple, usually naked except for fig leaves. The couple is positioned at the base of the tree and often a snake can been seen.

Many variations of the traditional Trees of Life can be found. For instance, a tree of life from Metepec will branch out like a real tree and a tree from Puebla will be more stylized with branches bending inward onto the body of the tree.

Themes of the Trees can vary depending on the artisan. Themes can range from the four seasons, death, chocolate, local dances and food.

Whichever style you choose or prefer they are remarkable symbols of the Mexican heritage created by talented local artisans.

Coast Hwy Traders a Fair Trade Buyer

Coast Hwy Traders purchases all there Trees of Life from Mexico handmade by local artisans. Coast Hwy Traders is a responsible fair-trade buyer.

This Fabulous tree of life is $175.00 and is available at Coast Hwy Traders

Coast Hwy Traders

530 S Coast Hwy 101

Encinitas Ca

760-944-1381

Tags : Adam and Eve, Arbol de la Vida, artisans of Mexico, artists, Coast Hwy Traders, Day of the Dead, fair trade, handmade, local artists, Metepec, Mexican artists, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican pottery, Puebla, Spanish, tree of life, wedding gift

Flaming Heart Sacred Heart Milagros

Filed Under : Blog by KMurray

Feb.6,2017

Flaming Heart Sacred Heart Milagros

Traditionally Milagros are used by people to petition saints for help or protection. In many churches in Mexico , you see statues of the Virgin Mary or other saints. People pin their Milagros or miracle on these saints .

Each Milagros is made for a specific purpose so their is a lot of variety. Sometimes you come across an unexpected Milagros like a car.
I think of Milagros as having dual or triple meanings, for example a car could mean you need or want a new car or your car is acting funny and you are praying for it not to break down.

The heart, flaming heart (sacred heart) could be a prayer to find love, announcing love or to heal a defective heart.

Milagros are now put on crosses, hands and Hearts for ornamental use.

Visit Coast Hwy Trader for individual Milagros and Milagros art pieces.

Coast Hwy Traders

530 S Coast Hwy 101

Encinitas Ca

760-944-1381

Tags : artists, Coast Hwy Traders, crosses, Day of the Dead, flaming heart, handmade, hearts, Mexican artwork, Mexican Folk Art, Mexico, milagros, miracles, sacred hearts, saints, shop local

Cacao Mexican Chocolate

Filed Under : Blog by KMurray

Jan.26,2017

Cacao Mexican Chocolate

For 5000 years the Cacao bean has been in Mexico including cultures along the Yucatan like the Mayans.

A Spanish soldier who was part of the conquest of Mexico by Cortes tells that when Montezuma II, emperor of the Aztecs, dined, he took no other beverage than chocolate flavored with vanilla or other spices. His chocolate was whipped into a froth that dissolved in the mouth. No fewer than 60 portions each day reportedly may have been consumed by Moctezuma II.

Chocolate was introduced to Europe by the Spanish and it became a popular beverage by the mid-17th century. They didn’t use sugar in the recipe until the Europeans added it hundreds of years later.

Nowadays, Mexicans enjoy their hot cocoa as a nightly treat with sweetbreads (pan dulce) and during the Day of the Dead celebrations you can find all manner of Mexican chocolate in the shape of skeletons and skulls.

Coast Hwy Traders

530 S Coast Hwy 101

Encinitas Ca

760-944-1381

Tags : aztecs, cacao beans, calacas, Coast Hwy Traders, Day of the Dead, Dia de Los Muertos, hot cocoa, mayans, mexican chocolate, Mexican pottery, Mexico, montezuma, pan dulce, skeletons, skulls, Spanish

The Home of the Tree of Life’s

Filed Under : Blog by KMurray

Jan.9,2017

Izucar De Matamoros, Mexico is the home of the Traditional Mexican Pottery, The Tree of Life

Izucar De Matamoros, Mexico is where the Mexican pottery, the Tree of life’s are made. The city is thought of as the “Home” of the Tree of Life’s. On Bev’s latest trip to Mexico she visited Izucar. Bev has collected tree of life’s for over 25 years so her trip to Izucar was very exciting. She buys a lot of Day of the Dead merchandise from this particular workshop. The craftsmanship and attention to detail by the workers is amazing. Even the children are able to earn extra money after school by helping at the workshop.

It was great to see the young people learning this traditional craft!

Coast Hwy Traders

530 S Coast Hwy 101

Encinitas Ca

760-944-1381

Tags : artisans of Mexico, artists, Coast Hwy Traders, Day of the Dead, Dia de Los Muertos, Mexican artwork, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican pottery, Mexico, tree of life

Local Business Coast Hwy Traders is Turning 21!

Filed Under : Blog by KMurray

Sep.26,2016

An Iconic Downtown Business Celebrates 21 Years.

Local business Coast Hwy Traders Supports local Artists/Fair Trade

Coast Hwy Traders is thrilled to be celebrating their 21 first birthday on Saturday, October 22 2016 at noon. We will be celebrating with Mexican Food, Music and door prizes.

Coast Hwy Traders was founded in October 1996 by owner Beverly Goodman as a venue for local artists,fun imports,and unique items. Coast Hwy Traders supports Fair trade buying and they support local charities like an orphanage in Mexico and a children’s foundation in Nepal.

Owner Beverly Goodman has been traveling to Mexico for over twenty years meeting local artists and importing their goods. She first met Moises Rodriquez when he was a young father with two small children. He was living and working in a small village outside TONALA,Mexico. Moises family counted on Bev’s visits to help support him and his family. Moises is now a well known artist. Buying from him was easy as his work is beautiful. Today his children are grown and married. Their room is now a gallery for his art. This is a story repeated many times by the unique art at Coast Hwy Traders.

Coast Hwy Traders also has the largest collection of Day of the Dead merchandise in Southern California.

Artist Moises Rodriquez and his handmade pottery

Coast Hwy Traders

530 S Coast Hwy 101

Encinitas Ca

760-944-1381

Tags : artisans of Mexico, artists, Coast Hwy Traders, Day of the Dead, Dia de Los Muertos, handmade, local artists, Mexican artwork, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican pottery, Mexico, shop local, Tonala

Importing from Mexico

Filed Under : Blog by KMurray

Apr.4,2016

People often come in with items they bought on a trip and want to import. Well my items from my last trip are still in TJ where they have been for four weeks. What makes delays. Well there is a lot of paperwork to do. You have to have receipts for everything you buy. So all those fun one of a kind items I buy at the market in Tonala they need their own receipt. All this information then goes to a broker.

My conversation today with broker….Broker, “we need a copy of your signature.” Okay.

Second call, “You signed your name, we need it printed too”…and so it goes.

The good news is that the items will arrive this week.

Coast Hwy Traders

530 S Coast Hwy 101

Encinitas Ca

760-944-1381

Tags : artisans of Mexico, artists, Coast Hwy Traders, Day of the Dead, importing, Mexican Folk Art, Mexican pottery, Mexico, saints, shop local, Tonala