The popular marigold was once called Mary’s Gold, in reference to the Virgin Mary. But, through the years, its name has evolved to a blending of sounds that produces the familiar word “marigold.” In medieval times, flowers associated with the Virgin Mary were considered to have special powers to bring good luck and to protect against evil and witchcraft. For these reasons, the marigold was a common and honored choice to adorn church altars.
In Mexico, the marigold is a reminder of the ancient Aztec culture that is still honored in the traditional Day of the Dead festivities on November 1. Day of the Dead celebrates the cycle and circle of life when spirits return to visit their families and homes. Known in Aztec times as cempasuchil or the flower of 400 lives, marigolds represent life’s shortness. Families fashion the colorful flowers into wreaths, garlands and crosses to decorate graves and altars. They sprinkle marigold petals on the ground and burn the flowers and copal to create a fragrant path to guide their ancestors’ spirits back to their earthly homes.
The flower had a very heartfelt meaning for the Aztecs. Its colors symbolized the sacrifice of their people for the Spanish lust for gold. The reddish center represented the blood of the Indians spilling over the yellow petals, which represented the gold the Spanish sought and killed for. Because of this, the marigold is also known as the “flower of death” in Mexico. Aztec priests mixed the dried flowers with dried tobacco leaves to produce a trance, which allowed them to see into the future when they inhaled the pungent smoke.
The botanist, Leonhard Fuchs, bestowed the name Tagete in the 18th century to the Mexican marigold. The beauty of the plant and its uses by the Aztecs reminded him of the myth of Tages, an Etruscan god and grandson of Jupiter. Tages was a handsome youth who found such special favor with the gods that they shared their secrets of divination and prophecy with him. He then shared this treasury of knowledge with the chiefs of the land. After learning his secrets, the chiefs killed him out of jealousy for his youth and good looks. To honor him, the gods granted Tages immortality and made him one of the principal Etruscan gods.
From the myth of Tages, the language of flowers grants the meanings of prediction and prophecy to the marigold. The Aztecs contribute meanings of despair, sorrow, and death from their history. Perhaps such heavy symbolic responsibility and meanings have made the marigold a hardy plant that adapts easily to a variety of challenging conditions in poor soil, extreme heat, and lack of water.
