Ofrendas

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of altar or offering set up to honor and remember deceased loved ones in certain cultural traditions
2. A ceremonial display often consisting of food, photos, and other items presented in remembrance of the dead, especially during specific celebrations
3. A sacred space created to commemorate and honor the memory of those who have passed away, typically adorned with significant items and symbols

Etymology: "Ofrendas" is the plural of "ofrenda," a Spanish word meaning "offering." The Spanish term comes from Latin "offerenda," the gerundive of "offerre" ("to offer"), a form meaning "things to be offered." It passed through Medieval Latin "offerenda" before settling into Spanish, where it denoted a gift or sacrifice given to a god, a saint, or the dead. In English the word was borrowed from Spanish, and its modern meaning owes much to the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos. There, families build ofrendas in their homes or cemeteries, arranging photographs, marigolds, candles, sugar skulls, and favorite foods to welcome returning spirits. The Latin root still shows through: the whole altar is, at its core, an offering set out for the dead.