The Marigold of Day of the Dead
During a traditional festival of life and death, a golden-hued flower takes center stage. This flower is not only a decoration, but also a source of carotenoids used in the food & pharma industry.
The Day of the Dead, known in Spanish as Día de Muertos or Día de los Muertos, is a festive occasion traditionally observed on November 1st and 2nd. Its origins are deeply rooted in Mexico, where the celebration has been most extensively developed, but it also holds significance for people of Mexican heritage worldwide.
This multi-day festival is a time when families and friends come together to honor and remember those who have passed away. The tone of the observance is often light-hearted, with participants sharing amusing stories and fond memories of the deceased.
Integral to the holiday's customs are the acts of honoring the dead with items such as sugar skulls (calaveras) and marigold flowers, locally known as the cempazúchitl. Participants also construct home altars known as ofrendas (offerings), adorned with the deceased's preferred foods and drinks, and make visits to grave sites, offering these beloved items as special tokens of remembrance.
While the celebration reverently remembers the deceased, it also embraces the living. It is customary to exchange gifts like candy sugar skulls among friends, savor the traditional pan de muerto (bread of the dead) with loved ones, and compose whimsical, often satirical verses called calaveras literarias, which humorously epitomize living friends and acquaintances.
In 2008, the Day of the Dead was formally recognized by UNESCO and added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its global cultural significance.
Marigolds and Day of the Dead Altars
The Aztec marigold or Mexican marigold (scientific name: Tagetes erecta in the Asteraceae plant family) is easily recognizable on the traditional Day of the Dead altars from its brilliant orange hues and large round inflorescence. This marigold is not to be confused with the pot marigold (Calendula officinalis in the Asteraceae plant family), which is native to southern Europe and used as an ingredient in skincare products.
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