With Fall in full bloom here at Grower Direct Farms, we are happy to
introduce a new seasonal offering in recognition of a traditional North
American holiday celebrated across Mexico and other regions in Latin
America and beyond: Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the
Dead.
Day of the Dead is normally celebrated anywhere between October
31st and November 6th depending on regional
locality, though the holiday is most commonly observed on November
1st and 2nd. Leading up to the holiday, family
members create home alters known as ofrendas where offerings
are made to deceased loved ones, usually in the form of their favorite
foods, beverages, and keepsakes collected by family members. In
addition, many families will also visit the graves of loved ones to
clean gravestones, light candles, and present similar offerings as a
means of showing the love still held for those who have passed on.
While Day of the Dead is categorized as a holiday focused on
veneration of ancestors, the modern holiday also places emphasis on
spending quality time with loved ones and serves as a reason to gather
together. Many celebrants take part in gift exchange and the sharing of
traditional foods associated with the holiday, such as sugar skulls and
sweet bread known as pan de muerto. Despite what may sound like
a negative name to many unfamiliar with the holiday, Day of the Dead
often takes on a lighthearted mood as the living look back fondly on
time spent with family and friends.
One of the most commonly encountered symbols of Day of the Dead is
the marigold, a popular annual from the genus Tagetes. These
flowers are native to much of central and South America, and they
possess striking yellow, orange, or red flowers with a strong, spiced
aroma. The traditional Aztec name for Marigold, cempazúchitl,
comes from the Nahuatl words for “twenty” and “flower”. Due to the
Nahuatl system adhering to a base-20 system, marigolds are seen as a
symbol of finality or the completion of a cycle, hence their close
association with the deceased. Marigolds grow wild across much of Mexico
and central America and are commonly found in graveyards and other
cultivated areas, deepening their symbolism as flor de Muertos
– flowers of the dead.
Whether you are new to Dia de los Muertos or an annual celebrant, our
Day of the Dead marigold will provide autumnal color and is the perfect
option for bringing a piece of longstanding tradition home.
