Skip to content
  1. Pre-sale from Oct 12-19
  2. Share Your StoryClick Here
Cempasúchil: The Flower That Guides Generations

Sep 14, 2025

Cempasúchil: The Flower That Guides Generations

When November comes to Mexico, one flower stands out everywhere: cempasúchil. In English it’s called the Mexican marigold. Its bright orange and yellow color is hard to miss. For hundreds of years it has been part of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a tradition now known around the world. But cempasúchil is not only about decoration. It has history, culture, and a deep meaning.

 

The Past

The word cempasúchil comes from the Nahuatl language, meaning “flower of twenty petals.” In prehispanic times it was used in rituals for the dead, but also as medicine for stomach aches and coughs, and even as a natural dye. Spanish chronicles from the 16th century already describe entire fields of cempasúchil grown for ceremonies.

Today, Mexico produces more than 30,000 tons every year. The main production comes from Puebla, Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí, and Mexico State, filling markets across the country during the first week of November. In places like Atlixco, Puebla, the fields themselves become a sea of orange during harvest season.

 

Did you know?
Some prehispanic societies associated the cempasúchil with the sun god Tonatiuh, which explains why the flower still symbolizes light and guidance today.

 

The Present

On altars (ofrendas), families spread petals to guide souls back home. The strong scent is believed to attract spirits, while the color represents the sun, the element that lights the way.

Cemeteries and public spaces are also filled with flowers. In Mixquic (Mexico City) and Janitzio (Michoacán), entire cemeteries glow with candles surrounded by cempasúchil. These scenes have become global symbols of Mexican culture.

The flower is also used in new ways:

  • In cuisine, chefs prepare infusions, breads, and liqueurs.
  • In the U.S., Latino families grow their own flowers from seeds bought online.
  • Cosmetic brands use it as a natural dye.

Did you know?
Cempasúchil petals are edible and sometimes used to color rice dishes or make tea.

Migration has also carried the flower beyond Mexico. In Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston, flower markets sell marigolds every October. Schools and museums in the U.S. teach children to build altars, always with cempasúchil at the center.

At the same time, small farmers in Mexico face challenges with low prices, while large producers dominate the market. Still, international demand continues to grow, and some cooperatives are exploring export opportunities. Cempasúchil has become one of Mexico’s most iconic flowers, recognized internationally as a symbol of cultural identity.

 

Did you know?
The U.S. now imports cempasúchil seeds from Mexico to meet the rising demand among Latino communities preparing for Día de los Muertos.


The Future

For younger generations, especially those living outside Mexico, the cempasúchil is often their first contact with Día de los Muertos. It’s a gateway to understanding their heritage it’s alive, visible, and tangible.

Unlike many traditions that fade with time, the flower’s role has only expanded. Governments promote it as cultural heritage, companies use it in design and marketing, and communities see it as a marker of belonging. What was once a ritual flower has become a shared language of memory.

 

 

From the beginning, we knew cempasúchil had to be part of Erenzia. It represents memory, family, and identity in a way that feels real to us. Choosing it as one of our first symbols is our way of honoring where we come from and making it part of where we are going.

 

Lleva tu historia. Toma tu Erenzia.

 

 

References:

Photos:

📷Cempasuchil - Jhovani Morales (Pexels)

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

Thermos bottles inspired by our roots, colors, and memories of Mexico. Each one carries the story of our heritage, traditions, and a deep connection to who we are. Designed to celebrate culture, identity and pride.