Popular Flowers for Days of The Dead

Days of The Dead is a wonderful celebration of life rooted in Mexico. Are you looking for flowers to celebrate the annual Dia de Los Muertos festival? 

In this article, we will be sharing with you a list of popular flowers used in the Days of The Dead.

Let’s get started. 

The Celebration of Life, the Day of the Dead.

The Day of The Dead is a celebration of life to honor the deceased. For years, it has been a tradition for us all to have flowers in funeral service.

While The Day of The Dead is not a funeral service, but rather an annual festival and holiday that originated from Mexico, they do have flowers as well either as decorations, tributes, or even as commemorations that symbolize deeper meanings. 

Here is the list of popular flowers that you could use on the Day of the Death.

5 Most Popular Flowers Used on the Day of the Dead

Marigold 

Or locally known as Cempasuchil, is the most popular and commonly used flower on the Day of the Dead. The flower resembles the golden hues of sunshine with its bright yellow orange-ish color.

They are naturally vibrant, which thematically fits with the Day of the Dead core essence, which is to celebrate a loved one’s life cheerfully.

It has a pungent scent, that is believed by tradition to be able to lead souls from their burial places to their family homes.

You can find Marigold almost anywhere during the Day of the Dead holiday or festivals. It will be on a parade, altars, designs on walls, streets, graveyards, and more. It is the signature flower for Dia de los Muertos. 

Cockscomb

Cockscomb (Celosia cristata) is a cluster of flowers with a distinctive appearance of a woody stalk that has a wavy shape similar to a rooster’s comb.

Otherwise also known as Terciopelo Rojo, these flowers have beautiful color variations such as red, purple, white, orange, and yellow. 

The Day of The Dead has its roots in the combined values of Aztec and Christianity. Some people will use Red-colored flowers as they symbolize Christ’s blood and His resurrection. 

Generally, the flower has bright and vibrant color. It promotes a cheerful mood and is a great alternative or complementary choice to the Cempasuchils! 

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums It is a frequently used flower for funeral services. White chrysanthemums are the preferred color for altars, gravesites, and flower crowns.

Day of The Dead lasted for 2 days. The first is All Saint’s Day and the second is usually known or referred to as All Souls’ Day.

Because the Day of The Dead has its roots in Catholic influence, there are some rituals that intertwine with it. One of it being Chrysanthemums being used as remembrance flowers to honor loved ones. 

White Hoary Stock

Mostly used with the colored white, the White Hoary Stock flower remembers infants or children that died.

White symbolizes purity and innocence just as like an infant or that of children. Though it’s not strictly forbidden to honor adults with a White Hoary Stock flower, most people will not use it to remember adults or if they have not lost any child.

The flower is fluffy, and it has a selection of blue and purple colors. This flower symbolizes beauty and simplicity, according to the Mexican Folk Art Guide, and the blooms have a delicate, sweet fragrance.

White Hoary Stock is often displayed on an altar or ofrendas (an offering).

Alright. Thanks for lending an ear. Let’s get back to reading!

Gladiolus

The Gladiolus is an impressive-looking flower, with its long stem and showy blossoms. 

The flower portrays the strength of character, remembrance, faithfulness, and moral integrity.

It is often used as decorations to remember a loved one on the Days of The Dead. Though not as popular as Marigold, this flower can be a beautiful gift or unique remembrance because of its natural tall and long stem. 

The name is associated with “sword”, all the more fitting to remember our loved ones that are brave and courageous. 

End of Article

Flowers play a key role in the celebration of the Day of the Dead. 

Like Cempasuchil or Mexican Marigold, for example, is believed by many to be the flower that leads the deceased back to their family. 

Other flowers might be used only for the purpose of decorations because of their vibrant nature which fits the celebration’s core essence.

If you are looking for a unique way to cherish the life of your loved one, consider creating an online memorial website! You can invite families and friends to visit the webpage to share their memories of the deceased by commenting on the dedicated page to remember them.

Perfect activity during feast and sharing!