Cémpasuchil flowers: origin and meaning in Mexico’s Día de Muertos
October 31, 2023
Jean G. Fowler
Latest Modification Date: 1/2/24
Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead in English, is one of Mexico’s most important and beloved traditions. It’s a yearly celebration where people in all of the country remember those who have passed away, taking place between November 1st and November 2nd.
Mexico has a great deal of respect for the dead. Día de Muertos is a very special occasion to bring back loved ones such as family, friends or pets, in spirit and memory for a few hours. This is why altars are commonly seen in most parts of the country in people’s homes, cemeteries, public spaces such as parks, work environments, schools, and more places.
Día de Muertos altars
Altars are placed mid October until Día de Muertos comes around. Some of the most popular objects found in altars are pictures of the deceased, candles or incense to guide the spirit’s way back to their homes and they are welcomed back with all sorts of candy, drinks, meals or favorite items someone used to enjoy.
This is meant to help people that come back remember what their lives were like and the deceased may be greeted with other important elements. The tradition also includes snacks like sugary bread pan de muerto, fruit such as oranges, cane, jicama, guava or tangerine, colorful cut paper to bring joy to the altar and of course, the bright orange cémpasuchil flower.
Where is the Cémpasuchil from?
Cémpasuchil, known as Marigold flower in English, and as the Tagetes Erecta in the scientific community, has its own meaning. Some see it as a guide for the spirits to find the right way home: its orange colors light their path.
According to the Institute of Ecology in Mexico, Cémpasuchil can be found in 55 species and grows all the way from Canadá down to Mexico, where 30 species grow, and all the way to Argentina in warm, semi warm and dry climates.
Interestingly, even though Mexico has the most species of Cempasúchil in its territory, China has become its larger producer and importer.
The Mexica civilization used to place these flowers in their altars as a way to honor life and dead. The name comes from náhuatl dialect “Cempohualxochitl”, meaning 20 or several flowers.
This plant is also known as Tepecempoalxóchitl Tlapalcozatlixochitl, Oquichtlicocaxochitl and Cozatlicoztic.
Mexicas associated the colors of its petals with the brightness of the sun. This is why they are placed in a sort of trail to guide the dead to the altars.
Cémpasuchil characteristics and medical uses
They bloom between summer and fall, and have strong aroma characteristics. It is also good as a bug repellent, helps control plagues and can also be exploited by extracting its oil to make insecticides and perfumes.
Tagetes Patula, which is a close relative of the Cémpasuchil, is commonly used in the herbal community for medical and nutritional purposes. In medicine, it can be utilized to help relieve the common cold, acné, bronchitis, and pain, while spiritually, it may be consumed in rituals as it is considered a healing plant.
Getting to know Mexican traditions is a great way to stop being a tourist and start slowly becoming a local. Sure, this is going to take some time, but someone who is mindful and respectful of the community where they are living as an xpat will always be welcome!
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Cémpasuchil flowers: origin and meaning in Mexico’s Día de Muertos
October 31, 2023
Jean G. Fowler
Cémpasuchil flowers: origin and meaning in Mexico’s Día de Muertos
October 31, 2023
Jean G. Fowler
Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead in English, is one of Mexico’s most important and beloved traditions. It’s a yearly celebration where people in all of the country remember those who have passed away, taking place between November 1st and November 2nd.
Mexico has a great deal of respect for the dead. Día de Muertos is a very special occasion to bring back loved ones such as family, friends or pets, in spirit and memory for a few hours. This is why altars are commonly seen in most parts of the country in people’s homes, cemeteries, public spaces such as parks, work environments, schools, and more places.
Día de Muertos altars
Altars are placed mid October until Día de Muertos comes around. Some of the most popular objects found in altars are pictures of the deceased, candles or incense to guide the spirit’s way back to their homes and they are welcomed back with all sorts of candy, drinks, meals or favorite items someone used to enjoy.
This is meant to help people that come back remember what their lives were like and the deceased may be greeted with other important elements. The tradition also includes snacks like sugary bread pan de muerto, fruit such as oranges, cane, jicama, guava or tangerine, colorful cut paper to bring joy to the altar and of course, the bright orange cémpasuchil flower.
Latest Modification Date: 1/2/24
Where is the Cémpasuchil from?
Cémpasuchil, known as Marigold flower in English, and as the Tagetes Erecta in the scientific community, has its own meaning. Some see it as a guide for the spirits to find the right way home: its orange colors light their path.
According to the Institute of Ecology in Mexico, Cémpasuchil can be found in 55 species and grows all the way from Canadá down to Mexico, where 30 species grow, and all the way to Argentina in warm, semi warm and dry climates.
Interestingly, even though Mexico has the most species of Cempasúchil in its territory, China has become its larger producer and importer.
The Mexica civilization used to place these flowers in their altars as a way to honor life and dead. The name comes from náhuatl dialect “Cempohualxochitl”, meaning 20 or several flowers.
This plant is also known as Tepecempoalxóchitl Tlapalcozatlixochitl, Oquichtlicocaxochitl and Cozatlicoztic.
Mexicas associated the colors of its petals with the brightness of the sun. This is why they are placed in a sort of trail to guide the dead to the altars.
Cémpasuchil characteristics and medical uses
They bloom between summer and fall, and have strong aroma characteristics. It is also good as a bug repellent, helps control plagues and can also be exploited by extracting its oil to make insecticides and perfumes.
Tagetes Patula, which is a close relative of the Cémpasuchil, is commonly used in the herbal community for medical and nutritional purposes. In medicine, it can be utilized to help relieve the common cold, acné, bronchitis, and pain, while spiritually, it may be consumed in rituals as it is considered a healing plant.
Getting to know Mexican traditions is a great way to stop being a tourist and start slowly becoming a local. Sure, this is going to take some time, but someone who is mindful and respectful of the community where they are living as an xpat will always be welcome!
