Walk past an ofrenda and the first thing you notice is the orange. Piles of it, petals scattered in a path, bundles tied to the altar. That orange is the marigold, and in Mexico it has its own name: cempasúchil (sem-pa-SOO-cheel).
What the name means
The word comes from Nahuatl, the language of the Mexica (Aztec) people. It is commonly explained as meaning "twenty flower" or "many-petaled flower," a nod to how full the bloom is. The flower itself, Tagetes erecta, is native to Mexico and the surrounding region, and it has been used in ceremony and remembrance for a very long time.
Why marigolds guide the way
The tradition says the color and scent of cempasúchil help guide loved ones back to the ofrenda during their yearly visit. The color is meant to be seen from far away, like a lit window. The scent, which is strong and a little earthy, is meant to be followed. Families often scatter petals from the street to the altar so there is a path to walk.
It is a beautiful idea, and it explains why the flower is placed generously. Marigolds are never a single stem on Día de los Muertos. They are abundant, because the welcome is.
Orange and gold, and what they carry
- Orange is the color of the sun and of warmth, and it is the color most associated with the holiday.
- Gold and yellow echo it and stand for the light we hope the people we miss are walking toward.
- White flowers are often added for the souls of children, los angelitos, and for purity and peace.
- Deep reds and purples show up too, as accents of love and mourning.
Using marigolds at home
You do not need a big altar. A few ideas:
- Bring home a bunch and place it in a low bowl near your photos and candle.
- Pull petals and lay a short path from the door to the ofrenda.
- Mix in other flowers. Roses, chrysanthemums and baby's breath work well alongside marigolds and keep color when marigolds fade.
- Keep them cool. Marigolds like water and shade. Change the water every day or two and trim the stems.
When fresh marigolds are hard to find
Fresh cempasúchil is seasonal, and in the days before November 1 it can sell out. That is one reason we make arrangements in the same palette: marigold orange, terracotta, gold and deep wine, hand-finished in our Southern California studio. Our Día de los Muertos collection includes the Cempasúchil Arch and bowls and boxes built for an altar. Order by October 29 for delivery before November 1 and 2.
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