While most of America is bustling for a spooky and exciting Halloween, Mexico and other parts of the world are getting ready to celebrate The Day of The Dead. All over the world, especially where there is a predominantly Catholic and Christian influence, November 2 is the annual observation of All Souls’ Day.
In the Catholic church, this is a day for prayer and remembrance for all those who have passed. It is also known as the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. Different countries vary in their way of honoring the dead. Some take it as a sacred and solemn tradition.
In Poland, All Souls’ Day is a quiet affair. The polish honor the dead on this day by lighting thousands of candles across cities and towns. One can imagine how beautiful and reverential this would look.
In Haiti, the day is a combination of Catholic and Voodoo tradition. The Haitians all gather in the primary cemetery located in the nation’s capital. There, they pay their respects to the spirit of the dead. And then it is a massive event of dancing and rituals.
Still, in most countries with a strong Catholic presence, like Italy, Spain, Peru, and parts of India, All Souls’ Day is when the living visit the graves. Candles are lit, food is set out, and flowers are offered to the departed.
El Dia De Los Muertos
If there is one country known, especially for its celebration for the dead, it’s Mexico. Dia De Los Muertos is one of the most anticipated days of the year. In their tradition, it is the deceased family that is said to come to visit the world of the living.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
But that does not bring fear to the people at all! Instead, the Mexican people want to throw the most lavish and colorful party to welcome their loved ones back from the grave. There are endless parades, extravagant costumes, and the most delicious food ready to greet the dearly departed.
The Symbolic Flowers
Part of what makes Dia De Los Muertos wonderfully vibrant is the flowers that are used for this celebration. Imagery for this festive day involves skulls and bright, festive florals.
Even if you have not witnessed this celebration first hand, chances are, you’ve seen the films and pictures.
View this post on Instagram
The altars at home, the display in the cemetery, the women’s headdresses, the parade floats, all of these showcase beautiful flowers in bright yellows and reds. The Day of the Dead traditions has long used flowers as a major part of the festivities. Some celebrators choose certain flowers for their meaning, while others for aesthetics.
View this post on Instagram
The following flowers are some of the most popularly used decorative. If this tradition interests you, or you would like to honor your loved ones this year in a special way, take this guide to help understand Dia De Los Muertos better.
1. Marigold (In Mexico: cempasúchitles)
No other flower is perhaps more prominent during the Day of the Dead than the marigold. Some historians attribute this to the fact that marigolds are relatively accessible in Mexico this time of the year. But another reason could be the traditional belief of this celebration.
The idea is that the souls of the dead will return to the world of the living. Marigolds with their bright color and strong scent are believed to lure the souls to their family’s altar. It’s that significant role in this tradition that’s given the marigold flower its other name: flor de Muerto, or “flower of the dead.”
The people strongly believe in the marigold’s guiding powers that decorations are no longer limited to the altar. They create a marigold path leading to the altar. They use artificial marigolds to supplement decorations to ensure that the colors pop and are brighter than ever.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
In other displays and decorations for the festive activities of the Day, paper marigolds are also used. Young women paint their faces to look like skeletons and then wear flower crowns made from marigolds. They dance during the day as part of the celebrations.
The flower is so central and so significant to the celebrations that in 2019, one family in Mexico sold out their stock of 300,000.
View this post on Instagram
2. Cockscomb
People who celebrate this day do not take it as a purely somber tradition. While it is indeed a day to remember the dead, it is also a celebration of life. That is why a vibrant and bold flower like the cockscomb is part of the festivities.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Instead of a washed-out and gloomy altar, families make it a point to have colorful homes and altars. The deep red of the cockscomb, set against the bright yellow of the marigolds creates a beautiful and visually stunning altar.
3. Chrysanthemum
In France, there is one flower you should never give to friends because it is strongly associated with the dead. Chrysanthemums are put on the graves of loved ones in November for Toussaint (All Saints Day on November 1). Though this French tradition is not as old as Dia De Los Muertos, it has in ways influenced the other.
View this post on Instagram
As the origins of both celebrations in both country’s roots in Catholic beliefs, it makes sense that rituals and traditions overlap. Now, it’s become more common to find chrysanthemums in many altars and shrines.
4. Gladiolus
This flower may not specifically have cultural meaning tied to Dia De Los Muertos; however, it does have a symbolism that is appropriate for the celebration. The gladiolus flower with its tall flower spikes and large, colorful blooms symbolically express character, faithfulness, and remembrance.
Thus, this sword lily, with different bright colors to choose from, appears on shrines and ofrendas because it signifies remembrance. Carefully arranged with the other flowers, it can enhance an altar display with its long stalks.
View this post on Instagram
Even if our families do not participate in this tradition, this Mexican celebration should teach us a thing or two about family. With the vibrant blooms and beautiful flowers, Dia De Los Muertos is about life and those who have moved on to the next.
In this season, don’t forget to remember the ones who have passed. Bring plants in and make it unique, make it extra special.