Paper Marigold

In Mexico, the marigold is called cempasuchil and is an essential part of all Dia de Muertos celebrations. If there is one color that is generally associated with the Day of the Dead, it is the bright orange of these flowers, which warmly welcome the souls of our beloved departed at the cemetery and unleash their full magic on the Dia de los Muertos altar. Since Tagetes erecta does not bloom in our latitudes when we need it most, we turn to the ancient Mexican tradition of handcrafted paper flowers. Our Paper marigold comes from a long-established family business in Mexico City that has been practicing this craft for three generations and, among other things, supplies these flowers to our two most knowledgeable U.S. colleagues in the field of Day of the Dead supplies. 

To make a Paper Marigold in our standard size, an approximately 90 cm long strip of orange crepe paper is tied in a wavy pattern around the end of a wire using a sophisticated technique and then secured with a wire loop, some green crepe paper, and glue. To ensure safe transport, the flowers were tied together with a thin rubber band. This can be easily removed; then unfold the flower and gently fluff it up with your fingertips to reveal its full beauty. 

Our standard sized flowers have a diameter of about 10 cm, the total length including the stem is a good 35 cm, and the wire can, of course, be shortened as desired. If you don’t like the “Made in Mexico” stickers under the flower, they can be easily removed.