As the temperature drops and October nears its end, costumes for Halloween are top-of-mind for many, but so, too, are the colorful ofrendas (offerings) for Día de los Muertos. This marvelous Mexican holiday, also known as Day of the Dead, honors deceased loved ones by creating altars overflowing with candles, calaveras (skulls), and the star of the show: stunning arrays of floral blooms.
Day of the Dead flowers come in a variety of colors, each with their own symbolic meaning. To help you build an ofrenda that perfectly captures the spirit of your loved ones, we’ve put together this guide to the abundant floral landscape of Día de los Muertos. Find the flowers at your local florist or Mexican market, and get busy building an altar set to impress the whole neighborhood.
Whether you’re planning to enjoy Día de los Muertos in Mexico or in your own community, learning Spanish can help you uncover everything to love about the holiday and beyond. Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion method, you’ll learn in a way that stimulates your brain’s innate ability to capture language. With the help of fun, engaging lessons, you’ll be able to ask questions in Spanish about Mexican customs en un dos por tres (in a wink of the eye). Soon a trip to a market or calenda, a Day of the Dead parade, won’t be intimidating. It will just be muy divertido (very fun)!
What role do flowers play in Día de los Muertos?
Flowers play a very significant role in Día de los Muertos. As a fragrant reminder to the dead of their former life, flowers are thought to call the spirits of deceased family members back to earth. The dual nature of florals as both beautiful and temporary also serves as a reminder to live fully in the present. Each flower used for Day of the Dead has a special significance, which we’ll talk more about below.
Día de los Muertos flowers can be displayed in large vases, but they may also be attached to the arch of an altar, often made with tied-together carrizo, a giant reed that grows wild in Mexico. Occasionally, altar builders start with a wood cross or arch and then cover it with flowers. Flower heads, particularly of marigolds, may be cut off to outline an altar’s edge, make a path, or create a garland to be strung over the altar. It’s even possible to “draw” an altar shape against a black wall with multiple marigold heads.
Wreaths are sometimes made as well, and may be hung against the wall or even on poles. Finally, petals may be strewn over the altar or a pathway. Flowers and their petals may also be used on gravesites.
>> See what Día de los Muertos celebrations look like in Guadalajara, Mexico.
1. Cempasúchil (Marigold)
Cempasúchil is the Spanish word derived from Nahuatl for the classic Mexican flower known as the Aztec marigold whose scientific name is Tagetes erecta. The most important flower for Day of the Dead altars, these yellow or bright orange flowers are also called Flor de Muerto (Flower of the Dead). They come in wild varieties as well, which tend to be less spiky or frilly.
In ancient times, the native peoples of Central Mexico honored the dead and the gods and goddesses associated with the underworld several times a year. For their ceremonies, they created small altars, often using cempasúchil because they believed that the marigold scent in particular led the dead back to the world of the living.
That may be because the scent of cempasúchil is pungent, slightly musky, and completely enticing. Their floral fragrance is everywhere during Mexico’s Day of the Dead season, and you’ll see people walking through the streets with large bundles of these. They’re not only popular in Mexico, though! Major cities in the United States also have a high demand for these flowers as Mexican Americans and Hispanic communities continue the ofrenda tradition.
2. Cresta de Gallo (Cockscomb)
Velvety soft and resembling a fuschia-colored brain, these unique Day of the Dead flowers are another staple of Día de los Muertos altars. With thick stems and an average height of 20 inches, a cresta de gallo (cockscomb) or simply terciopelo (velvet) in Spanish has the colorful punch to counterbalance the intensely warm colors of cempasúchil, although the flower may come in yellow or white colors as well.
This edible bloom with ruffle-like petals and medicinal properties is mostly grown in Puebla. Its symbolism is debatable. Some say it’s a flower used to comfort during a period of mourning; others say it may represent Christ’s blood, an indication of the syncretism that occurred in Mexico after the Spanish conquest.
3. Crisantemos (Chrysanthemum)
The symbolism of chrysanthemums, crisantemos in Spanish, is more well-known: commonly used at funerals in Mexico, they represent peace and eternity. This is because they are flowers capable of blooming even after fall’s cold has settled in. The use of chrysanthemums for this purpose originated in Spain where they’re often used for All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day, which fall on the same days as Day of the Dead.
>> Learn these useful Spanish words and phrases before your Day of the Dead celebration!
4. Gladiola (Gladiola)
If you’re wanting to learn the names of these flowers for your buying trip to the mercado (market), you’re in luck. This flower is the same in English and Spanish, although there are variations in both languages. Coming in a wide range of colors like red, pink, and white, this long-stalked flower of multiple blooms symbolizes faithfulness. It continues to be one of the most popular flowers in the north of Mexico for Day of the Dead altars. You will often see them placed in vases or directly on gravestones.
5. Alhelí (Wallflowers)
Although belonging to separate families, there are two types of blooms referred to as alhelíes, the plural of alhelí, and both are used as Day of the Dead flowers due to their long-lasting qualities.
The first alhelí, known as “wallflowers” in English and Erysimum cheiri in scientific terms, is a four-petaled flower that comes in a variety of colors like yellow, red, white, and shades of purple. Grown mostly in Puebla and Baja California, this flower represents the cherished memories we have of the deceased and our wish that they rest in eternal peace.
6. Alhelí (Hoary stocks)
The second type of alhelí, named Matthiola incana in the scientific world, is called “hoary stock flower” in English and often comes in white. As its name suggests, these gorgeous flowers grow tall on a stalk with as many as 20 blooms. ¡Impresionante! (Impressive!) While they come in a variety of colors, white alhelí symbolize innocence and are often used to honor children that have passed on.
7. Nube (Baby’s breath)
Baby’s Breath is called nube in Spanish, which means cloud. Though you’ll mostly see them in white for this holiday, they also come in pink. Popular for use in cemeteries around Day of the Dead, these are great for putting the final touches on your altar. They also look beautiful when presented in large bunches in a tall vase. Like the second type of alhelí, nube is associated with the concept of innocence and purity, so you’ll often find them on Day of the Dead altars made for children.
8. Clavel (Carnation)
These flowers are known as claveles in Spanish, but since one of their shades is similar to the orangey-yellow of marigolds, it’s possible to confuse the two. Marigolds can be identified by their intense smell, while carnations may have a more delicate, sweet, and clove-like scent. They also come in white and shades of red, yellow, and pink. Claveles symbolize a powerful connection to the deceased person being honored and summoned. Whether it be love or respect for the dead, these colorful flowers express deep emotion. When they’re white, they usually signify purity.
Make the most of every celebration
It’s time to build your ofrenda! You can now make a stunning and meaningful Día de los Muertos altar with flowers that embody the essence of your loved ones. These floral beauties are sure to bring a sense of reverence and true authenticity to your offering. Share leftover flowers with your friends and family to help them join in on the celebration.
With a holiday as diverse and enchanting as Día de los Muertos, we can bet you’re inspired to learn about Mexican traditions at large. Learning Spanish is the best way to experience Mexican culture firsthand.
Rosetta Stone can help you learn Spanish in a fun, engaging environment! Bite-sized lessons immerse you in Spanish while TruAccent gives you immediate feedback on your pronunciation, helping you sound amazing from your very first lesson.
Written by Rowena Galavitz
Rowena Galavitz is a Spanish translator, bilingual copy editor, and language and literature instructor with three master’s degrees who loves Spanish and all things Mexico.
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