Preparations for Day of the Dead in Rosarito are already underway and at the heart of these efforts lies the planting of the vibrant and symbolic cempasúchil (marigold) flower.
At Rancho Ecoturístico Gran Cañón, located in the Rosarito Canyon, the work is in full swing for the season in which hundreds of families honor their departed loved ones during the Day of the Dead, also referred to as All Saints’ Day or All Souls’ Day, which prominently features the cempasúchil bloom.
Now in operation for more than 22 years, the ranch offers recreational areas, cabins, and trails for cycling and hiking and provides visitors with a Day of the Dead experience like no other.
When the flowers reach their peak bloom, guests will have the chance to purchase bouquets for approximately $25 pesos ($1.50 USD) each. The ranch offers them the chance to select and cut their own flowers directly from the field.
This season, the ranch has planted 197 trays, each containing around 253 flowers.
Given a blooming period of roughly two and a half months, the site is expected to yield nearly 49,800 flowers by the end of October.
What Is the Significance of the Cempasúchil Flower in Day of the Dead?
Also known as cempoaltxóchil, flower of the dead, flower of the 400 petals, or twenty flowers, the cempasúchil flower’s yellow and orange hues were traditionally associated with the sun by the Mexica people. They placed these blossoms on graves in the belief that the flowers retained the sun’s warmth and that their strong aroma would help guide the spirits of the deceased.
Today, families continue this tradition by using cempasúchil flowers to decorate their homes, altars, and offerings, as well as the cemeteries where their loved ones rest.
As the season unfolds, Rancho Ecoturístico Gran Cañón is already preparing to honor the legacy of the Day of the Dead.
