This is a
Day of the Dead web theme set. The Day of the Dead
(Día de los Difuntos or Día de los Muertos) is a
uniquely Mexican celebration. It combines indigenous
traditions from time immemorial with the Catholic faith brought to
Mexico by conquistadors 500 years ago. The images of
this web set are typical of altar and display images associated with
this celebration. The graphics are intended to show that the
rich and fashionable, despite their pretensions to importance, are just
as susceptible to death as anyone else. Traditions of this
holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased,
decorated with sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and
beverages of
the departed.
Above you
see a sample of how a web page title could be inserted into the Day of
the Dead title graphics created for this set. The words are
actually a separate graphic from the images and it is all placed into a
3 column table. If you don't have a graphic program
capable of creating the title words you need, e-mail me and I
will do it for you as time allows. Below you will find the Day
of the Dead graphic divider. I recommend creating a
navigation bar as shown above at the top and or bottom of the page.
I have linked it in a couple of places so you can see how it
might look. The words and links are totally flexible being
simple HTML. There is also a clip art button for
e-mail. Alternative coordinating navigation
graphics that could be placed at the bottom of each page if appropriate
are also included. Everything is down loadable via the .zip
file you will find farther down on the page.
The
ofrenda is a table or area decorated to hold the offerings for the
spirits. Especially in Oaxaca, it is considered a great craft,
and there is an ofrenda competition in the cemetery.
Special
foods will be prepared and set out on the ofrenda. Tamales,
pumpkin cooked with brown sugar, cane sugar and tejocotes, pan de
muerto, chocolate, nuts and fresh fruit, as well as local specialties
like mole. The favorite foods and drink of the honored deceased
will be placed out, as well their framed photos.
In most
regions of Mexico, November 1st honors deceased children and infants
where as deceased adults are honored on November 2nd. This is indicated
by generally referring to November 1st as "Día de los Angelitos"
(Day of the Little Angels) and November second as "Día de los
Difuntos" (Day of the Dead). It is celebrated in connection with
the Catholic holy days of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day which take
place on those days.
During
the two day holiday, families usually clean and decorate graves; most
visit the cemeteries where their loved ones are buried and decorate
their graves with ofrendas, or offerings, which often include
red-orange marigolds called "cempasúchil" (originally named
cempoalxochitl, Nahuatl for "twenty (i.e., many) flowers"). In
modern Mexico this name is often replaced with the term "Flor de
Muerto" ("Flower of the Dead"). These flowers are thought to attract
souls of the dead to the offerings.
Fonts used for sample title and on buttons is called: "Abilene"
To save,
you may download the .zip file which
includes the Day of the Dead graphics, clip art, instructions and
HTML
template. Do not link to the graphics on this page!
Please note that this set is free to use on personal websites only
(donations are always appreciated). Those sites that hope to
generate income (business site) there is a one time $10 minimum
requested donation payable through Pay Pal.
Whether it is a commercial or personal web site, a text link to this
site MUST appear on all pages you use these designs on. Below
is a suggested format:
Crystal
Cloud
Graphics
is a home based graphic design and drafting firm that has been in
business
since 1978. It is owned and operated by Kythera
Ann.
If you would like to commission a specially designed theme or graphic
please
send an e-mail.
Web
Host: ELYSIUMGATES.COM
If you experience any problems with this
site,
please contact the web
mistress.
Copyright Crystal Cloud Graphics 1997 -
2021
