Día de los Muertos Altars in Oaxaca

课文

1. In Oaxaca, Mexico, families build altars called ofrendas weeks before Día de los Muertos to honor deceased loved ones.

   在墨西哥瓦哈卡，家家户户会在亡灵节前数周搭建祭坛（ofrendas），以纪念逝去的亲人。

2. Each level represents a spiritual concept: earth, purgatory, heaven—and sometimes a fourth for the four cardinal directions.

   每一层象征一种精神概念：大地、炼狱、天堂——有时还加一层代表四个基本方位。

3. Marigold petals form paths from the street to the altar so spirits can find their way home easily.

   万寿菊花瓣铺成从街边通往祭坛的小径，方便亡灵轻松找到回家的路。

4. Photographs, favorite foods like mole negro, and personal items such as a musician’s guitar appear alongside sugar skulls.

   照片、逝者生前最爱的食物（如黑摩尔酱）及个人物品（如音乐家的吉他）与糖骷髅并列摆放。

5. Unlike mourning rituals elsewhere, laughter, storytelling, and even jokes about the departed are encouraged and normal.

   与其他地方的哀悼仪式不同，欢笑、讲故事，甚至开逝者的玩笑，在这里既被鼓励也属寻常。

6. Local artisans carve intricate wooden calaveras, while children paint faces to resemble elegant skeletons without fear.

   当地工匠精心雕刻木质骷髅头，孩子们则开心地将脸画成优雅骷髅，毫无惧意。

7. Cemeteries transform into candlelit gardens overnight, where families picnic beside graves and share memories aloud.

   墓地一夜之间化作烛光花园，家人围坐墓旁野餐，高声分享回忆。

8. The celebration lasts two days—November 1 for children (los angelitos) and November 2 for adults—each with distinct offerings.

   庆典持续两天：11月1日纪念逝去的孩童（los angelitos），11月2日纪念逝去的成人，各自供奉不同祭品。