Cempasuchil Flower Of The Dead. What almost nobody knows is the story that comes behind these beautiful flowers and is. Their bright and cheery color also.
F or centuries día de muertos celebrations in mexico have been characterized by the vibrant yellow and orange hues of the marigold flower also known as cempasúchil. In mexico cempasúchil is also called flor de muertos flower of the dead is used extensively in the día de los muertos st celebration every november 1 to decorate altars that honor dead ancestors along with offering of food and beverages. They are spread on pathways fountains and graves.
Cempasúchil also known as flower of the dead was first described in the florentine codex or historia general de las cosas de nueva españa general history of the things of new spain an encyclopedic work about the people and culture of central mexico compiled by fray bernardino de sahagún 1499 1590 a franciscan missionary who arrived in mexico in 1529.
Cempasuchitl also called flor de muerto is the name for marigold flowers that are used in day of the dead celebrations. This is how the cempasúchil flower came to be the day of the dead flower. The marigold most commonly used in dia de los muertos celebrations is the targetes erecta mexican marigold or aztec marigold otherwise known as cempasuchitl or flower of the dead. Among petals of cempasúchil flower tamales tequila papel picado candles and copal the altar of the dead is built as a tribute to the loved ones that inhabit the world of the dead but also as a way to heal the pain they cause the absences among the living.
