The History of Marigolds

Marigolds originated in subtropical America and are thought to have been cultivated in the region for over 2 millennia. It was the Aztecs who pioneered the cultivation of marigolds, which they called cempasúchil, meaning “flower of 400 lives” (a reference to their many petals). The Aztecs used marigolds for medicinal and decorative purposes as well as in various spiritual practices and rituals. In the 16th century, European conquerors brought marigold seeds from Mexico to Spain. Due to the flower’s resemblance to European calendula, which was frequently offered to the Virgin Mary by peasants, it was often referred to as “Mary’s Gold” and eventually the name developed into “marigold.” Over time, the flowers spread throughout Europe and from there, they were introduced to Africa and India. In Indian culture, marigolds quickly became a symbol of the sun, passion, wealth, and happiness, and were quickly adopted into wedding celebrations and used during the festival of Diwali. Marigolds also continued to play an integral role in Central America. Although the Catholic Church tried to convert Indigenous Peoples and alter their cultural practices, a festival honoring the Aztec goddess Mictēcacihuātl and deceased loved ones could not be suppressed and eventually became Día de los Muertos. Notably, marigold petals play a key role in the tradition, as they are used to create pathways to guide the souls of departed loved ones to the correct ofrendas. Today, marigolds continue to play a culturally significant role in many parts of the world and are also used for decoration in many others, making them one of the most popular flowers.