Sand Altars in Rio de Janeiro

Continuing with my suggestions of one-time altars around the world, I’m reminded of one I saw on December 31 when I lived in Rio. Every year, it seems that the entire city migrates to the beach to honor the sea goddess Iemanja. Family & friends carve holes in the sand, which they fill with lighted candles & flowers. Some of these altars also commemorate a relative or friend who has died at sea or abroad. Others honor the mother goddess of Brazilian folk religions. Some construct miniature wooden boats & trim them with flowers, soaps, combs, mirrors, and tiny bottles filled with perfume. At midnight as fireworks go off atop the high-rise hotels, they light candles that they’ve put in the boats, say a prayer, and launch them into the sea. To top off the festivities, people may then take a purification bath in the seafoam. In this way, whether they are believers in the folk religions or not, Cariocas honor the lithe Lady of the Vibratory Force of the Sea.