Día de los Muertos is almost here! Are you prepared?

Marigolds, Roses and More Make Dia de los Muertos Magical

Halloween is not the only thing to look forward to later this week. Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, begins on October 31 and is celebrated through November 2. Día de Los Muertos is a celebration of life and is a way of honoring friends, family members, and ancestors who have passed on. In Mexican tradition, families put altars in their homes and in public spaces, filling them with special mementos of the deceased, including photographs, food, tequila, and personal items. On these altars and all over cities, you will also see brightly colored hand-cut paper flowers – as well as fresh marigolds! Marigolds in bouquets and vases will traditionally fill homes, restaurants, and popular areas in Mexican towns and cities. Garlands made from marigolds are commonly used on altars, around the entrances of businesses, and as floral crowns in women’s hair.

Mexican tradition honors the belief that the spirits of the dead visit the living during Día de Los Muertos celebrations. Marigolds act as a compass to attract spirits to celebrations and altars – because they are brightly colored and fragrant, they act as mythical landmarks that make festivities unmissable for traveling spirits. Mexican marigolds grow on long stems and have broad, intricately folding petals. Their potent orange color is a magnetic, expressive signal.

It is possible that the use of marigolds in Día de Los Muertos celebrations dates back to indigenous groups in Mexico. The Aztecs, about whom little is known, used Marigolds in various healing and medicinal arts. Some historians believe that Día de Los Muertos originates in an Aztec festival honoring a goddess whose role was to protect the bones of the dead.

Are you preparing for a Día de Los Muertos celebration in your home, neighborhood, or community? Allen’s Flower Market is here to help! We are proud to be a family-owned business for over 40 years. We offer fast, easy delivery to accommodate your needs and to keep you focused on the festivities that matter to you and your culture. Stop by any of our floral design studios in Long Beach, the San Fernando Valley, or Los Angeles, or a look at our impressive variety of flowers and floral arrangements online: https://www.allensflowermarket.com/flowers-for-all-occasions/