- los angelitos — literally, little angels; young children whose spirits return
- la calaca — a skeleton figure representing death, similar to the Grim Reaper
- el calavera — a reckless fellow
- la calavera — skull
- la calaverada — crazy, foolish behavior
- el difunto — the departed
- la hojaldra — a bread for the Day of the Dead
- la ofrenda — an offering left for the souls of the dead
- zempasúchitl — the traditional name for the yellow marigolds used to mark a pathway to the altar
Here is a glossary of Spanish term used in connection with the Day of the Dead:
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