Meaning of CEMPASUCHIL flower |
Today we are going to talk about meaning of cempasuchil flowersalso called Tagetes erecta, marigold, Indian carnation or Mary Gold. Another of his nicknames, used in Mexico, is that of flower of the deadwhich could give us clues to one of the meanings of this flower.
Origin of cempasuchil flowers
The real name of the flower is not cempasuchil, in fact it is just a way of saying the word with which this flower was called in the past: cempohualxochitl. The meaning of this word is "twenty" (cempohualli) and "flower" (xochitl).
The origin of this plant is in Mexico, where it grows naturally in different parts of the country, in addition to being cultivated in many others as it is an extremely popular flower in the country. In fact, production reaches nearly 7,000 tons per year, although China and India produce even more.
The fame of this flower occurred approximately in the 16th century, since the Spanish conquerors imported it from America to take it to Europe and began to spread its fame in the known world.
Characteristics of cempasuchil flowers
These flowers stand out for being extremely aromatic (especially if you squeeze them a little), in addition to their yellow-orange color which makes them striking, as well as the striking round shape of this flower.
Its height is about 60 centimeters and 1 meter high and it is a flower that lives in climates ranging from warm to temperate, so if you want to grow it in a cold habitat, you must provide it with a higher temperature.
Its main uses have been for the Day of the Dead ceremony and medicine.. Cempasuchil is used to honor the dead, as the flowers and their fragrance are said to light the way for those leaving the underworld.
As for its medicinal use, in Mexico it is a popular remedy against digestive and respiratory disorders. Other less common uses are treating warts, rashes and sores and even insomnia.
flower meaning
As you may have noticed in the previous point, this flower has a meaning closely related to death. The fact that its use has become popular on the Day of the Dead has a lot to do with it and has caused the production of this flower to skyrocket for years.
Cempasuchil is the funeral flower, the one that it is used to mark a small path to the coffin as a representation of the path the deceased person takes from our world to that of the dead.
It is said that the petals, due to their striking color and pleasant smell, make it easier for that person to cross this difficult path and reach "the other side".
And for you, what do cempasuchil flowers mean?