At the start of November, homes, cemeteries, and town squares across Mexico and beyond glow with brilliant orange and gold. The air carries the scent of marigolds, or cempasúchil (the “flower of the dead”), and the flicker of candles illuminates ofrendas lovingly arranged to honor those who have passed. This is Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a celebration that intertwines life, death, memory, and beauty through a language of color, scent, and spirit.
At Mayflowers Floral Studio, we believe that the best way to honor those we love is with flowers. Their beauty and symbolism alone express more than words often can. In this blog, we’ll dive into the tradition of Día de los Muertos and the haunting beauty of remembering with flowers.
What Is Day of the Dead and Who Celebrates It?
Día de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday that honors the lives of deceased loved ones. Far from a somber occasion, it’s a vibrant and joyful celebration of remembrance. Families welcome the souls of the departed back to the world of the living with music, favorite foods, and flowers.
The holiday’s roots lie in ancient Aztec and other Indigenous traditions, later blending with Catholic observances of All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2) after the Spanish colonization. Today, it’s celebrated widely across Mexico, as well as in other Latin American countries and communities throughout the United States.
Each region and family has its own way of observing the occasion. Some visit cemeteries to clean and decorate graves, spending the day eating, singing, and sharing stories. Others create ofrendas, which are altars adorned with keepsakes that keep the loved one’s memory alive.
Though it shares the same calendar dates as Halloween, Día de los Muertos is not about fear or fright—it’s about connection, remembrance, and the belief that love carries on beyond death.
The Ofrenda: An Offering of Memory and Love
At the heart of the Day of the Dead celebration is the ofrenda, meaning “offering.” These altars are layered displays that honor the spirits of loved ones returning home for a brief visit. Every element of the ofrenda carries symbolic meaning, helping guide the souls on their journey and surrounding them with familiar comforts.
A traditional ofrenda often includes:
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Photos of the departed.
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Candles to light their way back to the living.
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Incense (copal) to purify the space and attract spirits.
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Pan de muerto, a sweet bread decorated with bone-like designs.
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Calaveras or sugar skulls, decorative skulls made of sugar or clay that are vibrantly designed. They represent the cyclical nature of life and death.
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Favorite foods and drinks of the departed.
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Personal mementos or beloved objects.
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Flowers, especially marigolds, whose bright color and scent symbolize the fragility and beauty of life itself
Among these, flowers play one of the most evocative and essential roles.
What Is The Role of Flowers in the Ofrenda?
Flowers are more than decoration—they are pathways between worlds. Their colors, scents, and ephemeral beauty remind us that life is precious and fleeting. In Día de los Muertos traditions, flowers serve both practical and symbolic purposes: they draw spirits toward the altar and help families express love, memory, and reverence.
What Flowers Are Associated With The Day Dead?
Marigolds, often called the “Flower of the Dead”. The marigold, or cempasúchil (pronounced sem-pah-SOO-cheel), is the most recognizable flower of Día de los Muertos. Known in English as the Mexican marigold (Tagetes erecta), it’s often called flor de muerto—the flower of the dead.
As legend goes, the bright orange and yellow petals of the marigold represent the sun, guiding souls back to the world of the living. Their powerful scent acts as a beacon, helping spirits find their way to the ofrenda. Families scatter trails of petals from the doorway to the altar, symbolically lighting the path for their loved ones to return home.
Marigolds have deep cultural and spiritual meaning. The Aztecs used them in ceremonies honoring the goddess Mictecacihuatl, the “Lady of the Dead,” whose legacy carries through to the modern Día de los Muertos celebrations. Their fiery hues symbolize the energy and vitality of the sun, and by extension, the ongoing cycle of life and death.
During the holiday, markets overflow with marigolds—whole flowers, garlands, and petals—ready to adorn gravesites, ofrendas, and community altars.
Beyond Marigolds: Other Flowers of Remembrance
While marigolds are the floral star of Día de los Muertos, they are often joined by other blooms that carry their own significance:
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Cockscomb (Celosia cristata): The deep crimson, velvety texture of cockscomb flowers evokes the color of blood and the vitality of life. Their intricate, brain-like form has been interpreted as a symbol of wisdom and continuity.
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Chrysanthemums: In some parts of Mexico and Latin America, white chrysanthemums are used to express grief, truth, and the transience of life.
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Gladiolus and White Calla Lilies: These elegant flowers are often included for their associations with strength, faith, and spiritual purity.
Together, these flowers create an ofrenda that feels alive, a vivid expression of love, memory, and the beauty of impermanence.
What Colors Are Used For the Day of the Dead?
In Día de los Muertos traditions, flowers are chosen not just for beauty, but for the messages they convey through color and fragrance:
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Orange and Yellow (Marigolds): Represent the sun, guiding souls to their families.
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Red: Symbolizes blood and life itself.
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White: Represents purity, hope, and renewal.
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Purple: Signifies mourning and spirituality.
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Pink: Represents joy and celebration—because this holiday is ultimately a festival of life.
The scent of flowers, especially the marigold’s unique musk, plays an equally vital role. Fragrance acts as a sensory bridge between the living and the dead, guiding spirits home. This belief underscores how deeply our sense of smell is woven into Día de los Muertos observances. It’s even backed by science: the same parts of the brain that process smell also carry our memories!
Flowers Beyond the Ofrenda: Cemeteries and Community Celebrations
In addition to decorating ofrendas, flowers are taken to cemeteries, where families gather to clean and beautify graves. Entire headstones may be blanketed with marigold petals, candles, and garlands. Some communities create intricate flower carpets or mandalas along cemetery paths, while others line public squares and plazas with floral arches and installations.
During these gatherings, families share food, music, and stories, creating an atmosphere that feels more like a reunion than a vigil. The living and the dead meet in a shared space filled with fragrance and color—proof that remembrance can be joyful.
The Global Influence of Día de los Muertos
Over the past several decades, Día de los Muertos has captured imaginations worldwide, inspiring art, films, and cultural events that pay homage to its message: life and death are intertwined, and love transcends both.
However, it’s important to approach these traditions with respect and understanding. The Day of the Dead is not simply “Mexican Halloween,” but a deeply spiritual, family-centered holiday rooted in Indigenous and Catholic beliefs. When incorporating Día de los Muertos imagery at Mayflowers—like sugar skulls or marigolds—we strive to do so thoughtfully, acknowledging the origins and meaning behind each symbol.
Honoring Memory Through Flowers
There’s a quiet poetry in the way flowers embody the message of Día de los Muertos. They are born, bloom beautifully, and fade—all within a brief moment in time. Yet while they last, they fill the world with color, scent, and even joy. They remind us that beauty is inseparable from impermanence.
To decorate an ofrenda with marigolds is to say: you are remembered, you are loved, you live on through us. And if you’re looking to create an ofrenda, we can help you find the flowers that offer the guiding light for your loved one. Even placing a vase of their favorite marigolds or mums in your home, you carry the tradition that bridges worlds with each petal, candle flame, and memory.