Flowers, which symbolize the brevity of life, are an essential element of the Day of the Deadofrenda. Though many different flowers are used in Day of the Dead celebrations, one flower has become a national symbol for the festival: the marigold. Also calledcempasúchil(the flower of 400 lives),k'etsikarhani, orcempoaxotchil, the marigold holds a revered place in pre-Columbian religious history. According to legend,cempasúchil, which comes from the Nahuatl wordscemposalli, meaning “twenty,” andxochitl, or “flower,” making marigolds the “flower of twenty petals,” were miraculously gifted to the Nahua by Tonatiuh, their sun god, so that they might honor their dead. Today, the marigold continues to be featured prominently in all aspects of Day of the Dead rituals.
Marigolds are used in the construction of the floral arches, garlands, wreaths, crucifixes, and five-point stars that accompanyofrendasin many regions and in the decoration of gravesites and home altars. In addition to its decorative uses, the marigold serves a practical purpose in Day of the Dead rituals. Prized for their bright coloring and potent fragrance, marigolds are thought to attract the souls of the dead to theofrendasprepared for them. Families will often scatter marigold petals forming a path from their front doors to theofrendawaiting within the home. In smaller towns, families might even lay a floral path from the cemetery to their front doors to lead the dead home. In larger towns where this is not possible, a family might still scatter a path of marigold petals in the direction of the cemetery to ensure that the souls of the dead make their way safely to and from their final destinations. The petals of the marigold are also thought to possess cleansing properties, and families will often use them to form a cross on the floor in front of theofrendaso that the souls may be cleansed of their sins and guilt when they tread upon it.
Covarrubias, A. M. (2012). Día DE LOS MUERTOS (DAY OF THE DEAD). In M. Herrera-Sobek,Celebrating Latino folklore: an encyclopedia of cultural traditions. ABC-CLIO. Credo Reference: https://ezproxy.ollusa.edu/login?url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/abcclioclft/dia_de_los_muertos_day_of_the_dead/0?institutionId=3517
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1. Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos):
- Definition: A Mexican holiday dedicated to honoring and remembering deceased loved ones.
- Significance: It is a time when families come together to celebrate the lives of the departed through various rituals and offerings.
2. Ofrenda:
- Definition: An altar or offering dedicated to the deceased during the Day of the Dead.
- Purpose: Families create ofrendas to honor and remember their loved ones, typically adorned with symbolic items and favorite belongings of the departed.
3. Marigold (Cempasúchil):
- Symbolism: Represents the brevity of life and is a national symbol for the Day of the Dead festival.
- Cultural Importance: Miraculously gifted by Tonatiuh, the sun god, according to legend, and holds a revered place in pre-Columbian religious history.
4. Marigold's Names:
- Cempasúchil: Derived from Nahuatl words "cemposalli" (twenty) and "xochitl" (flower), translating to the "flower of twenty petals."
- K'etsikarhani, Cempoaxotchil: Alternative names for the marigold.
5. Uses of Marigold in Day of the Dead:
- Decoration: Integral in constructing floral arches, garlands, wreaths, crucifixes, and stars accompanying ofrendas.
- Practical Purpose: Thought to attract souls of the dead due to bright colors and fragrance, used to create paths leading to ofrendas or cemeteries.
6. Ritualistic Uses of Marigold:
- Symbolic Paths: Families scatter marigold petals to guide souls from their front doors to ofrendas or cemeteries.
- Cleansing Properties: Marigold petals form crosses to cleanse the souls of the departed when walked upon, representing purification from sins and guilt.
7. Source:
- Author: A. M. Covarrubias
- Publication: "Día DE LOS MUERTOS (DAY OF THE DEAD)" in "Celebrating Latino Folklore: An Encyclopedia of Cultural Traditions."
- Year: 2012
- Reference: Credo Reference, available via
This detailed information not only provides insights into the cultural and religious aspects of the Day of the Dead but also underscores the symbolic significance of marigolds in this revered tradition.
