In Italy the chrysanthemum has become synonymous with mourning and commemoration, so much so that no one would dream of giving it as a birthday gift. In Mexico, however, the protagonist of Día de los Muertos is another: the marigold, or rather the Tagetes erecta, a presence so rooted in popular culture that it transforms entire cities into a triumph of yellow and orange. These days the streets are filled with flowers before the anniversary even begins: houses, markets, domestic altars are submerged, as if the entire country was preparing to welcome special guests from the afterlife.
A bond that was born before the story
Tagetes erecta has its roots in the territories of Mexico and Guatemala, where it thrives thanks to a warm and semi-humid climate and flowering that continues until the cold months.
Pre-Columbian civilizations cultivated and appreciated it long before the Spanish conquest. The reason for its use in rites dedicated to the deceased is difficult to trace precisely: the tradition is lost over time, stratified between myth and religion.
But the meaning has remained intact, the flower, with its bright color and penetrating scent, becomes a guide for souls who return to visit their loved ones. The petals scattered on the ground draw a path to follow, a clear invitation not to get lost and to find your home, at least for one night.
A symbolic bridge between two worlds
On Día de los Muertos we don’t cry in silence. The light is turned on, the table is set, shared life is celebrated. In this climate, the marigold is not a simple ornament: it is a conduit, a messenger.
The role is the same that the chrysanthemum plays in our country, called to represent the bond with those who have passed away. Two distinct traditions, a single human need: not to let the memory fade, to give visible form to an affection that continues even when the body is no longer there.
The concrete strength of marigold
Its practical qualities contribute to making the flower even more precious. South American populations attribute healing properties to it: infusions and decoctions obtained from flowers and roots are widespread remedies for alleviating various ailments. Tagetes erecta contains lutein, so much so that in Europe it is also used as a food additive for the well-being of eyesight. And it’s not limited to this: exactly like the marigolds we find in our gardens, it works as a natural insecticide, an effective protection against unwanted parasites.
A symbol that never fades
Día de los Muertos shows another way of being close to one’s deceased: not with the sadness of mourning, but through a celebration that honors the continuity of bonds. Following this tradition, the marigold continues to shine year after year, reminding the living that death does not have the last word. Its petals placed on the streets are a temporary bridge, a promise: those we loved can return, guided by a flower that never stops calling.
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