MARIGOLDS AND COSMOS
Fill your life with flowers this fall! It’s fitting that the seasonal blossomed botanicals of October are mystical and rooted in spiritual symbolism. Because October is the first full autumn month—when days get shorter and the hours of sunlight are more in sync than other times of year—seen as a grand preparation for impending Halloween and Day of the Dead, we need an abundance of flowers that symbolize balance and peace between the physical and spiritual worlds. Cosmos and marigolds do just that. They are both native to Mexico and are highly revered as posies that represent tradition and spirituality.
Cosmos
The cosmos flower is much more meaningful than simple décor. Indigenous peoples in Mexico use the flower as a botanical emblem that bridges the spiritual and corporeal worlds. Used in altars as offerings to bring about peace and balance, cosmos are almost ethereal in their beauty and significance. Because their stems are so delicate and long, they are very airy and toss to and fro in the breeze. Cut cosmos make exquisite bouquets and offerings because the blossom is so gracefully beautiful and charming. A mandala of petals encircling a yellow disk creates the perfect whorl of enchantment. The Greek word “kosmos” (from which the flower’s name is derived) means worldly order. This immediately conjures images of stars and other celestial bodies, making the cosmos flower almost divine in context.
Marigolds
“Open afresh your rounds of starry folds, ye ardent marigolds.” –John Keats
Marigolds are ubiquitous in high autumn not only for their vivid beauty but their symbolic background as well. They represent the sun’s brilliance at this time of year and life in general. Because they are synonymous with late October and are used as offerings for departed loved ones, go ahead and make marigolds your main seasonal decoration. Whether they’re potted, cut, or deadheaded and used to create garlands that accent doorways, these vivid beauties make a statement. They can also be used to dye cloth a beautiful muted shade of persimmon.
Marigolds are known for their hardy stems and abundance of green foliage. With that unmistakable smell (that even repels some insects), these flowers are long-lasting in a vase or other festive vessel. Make sure to freshen the water every couple of days to keep your bouquet fresh.
Dia De Los Muertos
Altars for Dia De Los Muertos are covered in marigold offerings for ancestors and other loved ones who have passed on. After all, these are the “flowers of the dead.” It is thought that the scent actually attracts souls back to the realm of the living. When intermingled with copal incense and a bell, this fragrance and sound help to guide the dead. Along with marigolds, candles, sugar skulls, freshly baked loaves of bread, handmade pottery, and photographs of the departed adorn tables and mantles to serve as a declaration of life. Dia De Los Muertos is not meant to be a sad or somber day but a thoughtful and loving one.
Other fall flowers to mix with marigolds and cosmos include favorites that complement each other with classic hues of yellow, russet, burgundy, and orange, such as chrysanthemums, zinnias, celosia, and sunflowers.
To find the perfect bouquet this fall visit Chelsea Flowers on the website and check out their freshest, most impressive seasonal options.
To learn more about marigolds and cosmos, follow the links below (consulted in writing this blog):
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/meaning-behind-six-objects-dia-de-los-muertos-altars-180973442