Day of the Dead

What happens

On 1 and 2 November Mexican families welcome back the souls of their dead. They build an ofrenda, an altar at home with photographs, candles, food and drink, and they clean and decorate the graves. The flower of the dead is the cempasúchil, the Mexican marigold. Its strong scent and bright orange are said to guide the souls, so petals are laid in a path from the street to the altar. Fields in Puebla and Michoacán are grown for this one week. Deep red cockscomb and white baby's breath go beside it.

The flowers

Aztec marigoldCempasúchil, the Mexican marigold, whose scent guides the dead.CelosiaCockscomb, deep red and velvety, set on altars and graves.OfrendaThe home altar, framed with an arch of marigolds.GypsophilaWhite baby's breath, for the souls of children.

More flowers and customs of Day of the Dead

MarigoldTagetes A group of bright annual and perennial flowers known worldwide as marigolds 🇲🇽 Mexico and 7 more · Wildflower Decoration Day of the DeadDía de (los) Muertos Mexico’s festival of remembrance with altars, marigolds, and sugar skulls 🇲🇽 Mexico · Custom, November Decoration Papel picado Mexican folk art banners made by cutting designs into colored tissue paper 🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 more · Flower craft Decoration Sawdust carpettapetes de aserrín Intricate street designs made of dyed sawdust and organic materials for religious processions 🇲🇽 Mexico and 5 more · Carpet or floor pattern, Mar to Nov