Dating back to the 16th century, Día de Muertos celebrations in Mexico have been distinguished by their vibrant yellow and orange hues of the marigold flower, originally known as “Zempoalxochitl” in its native Aztec Nahuatl language. These celebrations are believed to be tied to a romantic Aztec origin myth that tells a heart-breaking love story of a couple named Xóchitl and Huitzilin. According to the myth, the couple would often hike to the top of a mountain to leave flower offerings to the sun-god Tonatiuh. One day the couple climbed to the top of the highest mountain to ask for Tonatiuh’s blessing and approval of their union. Soon after, Huitzilin was called into battle and the couple parted ways. After some time, Xóchitl learned that Huitzilin had been succumbed by his injuries suffered in battle. Filled with pain and anguish, Xóchitl went back to the mountain top and asked the sun-god to allow her to rejoin her love on earth. Moved by her affliction, Tonatiuh grants her wish and casts a golden ray on her that turns her into a flower as golden as the sun itself. However the flower never blossomed. One early morning, a colorful hummingbird was attracted by the scent of this flower and rested its beak on its leaves. Immediately, the yellow flower blossomed that was as radiant as the sun itself. It was the cempasúchil flower, the vibrant yellow flower with twenty petals, which had recognized her beloved Huitzilin, who had taken the form of the colorful hummingbird to return to her on earth. Ever since, the Aztecs have used the cempasúchil flower as part of Día de Muertos celebrations, vibrant colors synonymous with joy and celebration of life.

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