But none are as memorable as the marigold.Īfter a two-year hiatus, the Garden is bringing back a reimagined Día de Muertos celebration on Oct. There are other flowers used for the holiday like chrysanthemums, cockscombs or gladiolas. Throughout the years, this tradition adopted Roman Catholic aspects from Spaniards who conquered Mexico.Ĭempasúchil is the Aztec name of the marigold flower native to Mexico ( Tagetes erecta).

The fragrance, which is a musky smell, from marigolds is said to lead souls from their burial place to their family homes. The story goes that Mictecacihuatl allowed spirits to travel back to earth to reconnect with their family members. The celebration traces back to pre-Hispanic Aztec rituals tied to the goddess Mictecacihuatl, or the Lady of the Dead. The relationship between marigolds, or cempasúchil, and Día de Muertos runs deep. There’s a reason the marigold resembles the essence of Día de Muertos. The vibrant color of the flowers is even more striking with the warm hues of candle lights that surround it.

1 to decorate their altars with photographs, sugar skulls, food, candles and marigolds, or cempasúchil (sam-pah-sue-cheel), as they are commonly known in Mexico.Īn altar isn’t complete without the display of thousands of orangey golden marigolds that bring life to this celebration of passed loved ones. The holiday commemorates deceased loved ones by honoring and remembering them through altars or ofrendas.Įach year, Mexican families gather before Nov. The tradition traces back to more than thousands of years before Spanish settlers arrived. Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is one of the most important celebrations in Mexico.

Flowers dia de los muertos