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By Josselin Sanchez Papalotzi
The brilliant color of the cempasuchil used in many Indian traditions and festival. (National Geographic, 2022)
INTEGRATION PROCESS
Here we can observe a process of acculturation since cempasúchil was taken to India where it was integrated by the Indian population. Therefore it was used for their traditions and specially to honor their gods, which in Mexico has the same purpose, but Indians adapted it to their own religion
The flower that unites Diwali and Day of the Dead
INDIA
Diwali
INDIA
Diwali
These flowers decorate festive doors and tables in honor of Diwali, which is a festival of lights celebrated during five days each fall.
Diwali is the most important festival from the year of India. What is celebrated is the triumph of good over evil, the triumph of light over darkness.
It is characterized by prayers, big meals full of food and candies, fireworks, family meetings. It is also famous for shining clay lamps that are placed in front of the houses which represent the light that protects each home from spiritual darkness.
For some it's the start of a new year. (National Geographic, 2022)
MEXICO
"Day of the Dead"
MEXICO
"Day of the Dead"
Every November 1st, these flowers appear in homes in the traditional celebration of Day of the Dead. The flower honors their loved ones who have passed away and reminds them the shortess of the live.
It is believed that the spirits of the deads return to the Earth on November 1st and 2nd. Therefore, many families decorate the graves of their loved ones with chempasuchil, which has a warm smell and bright color which attracts and guides the spirits.
It is also used to guide them to the house of their relatives where an altar to the deceased is set up with chempasuchil, candles, fresh fruit and food to feed the spirits. (National Geographic, 2022)
MORE ABOUT CEMPASUCHIL IN MEXICO
The cempasúchil flower is originated from Mexico. Also known as "The flower of 400 lives"
It was used since prehistoric times. Firstly, it was used by the Nahuas who believed that flowers were a gift from the God of the Sun in order to honor their dead ones and keep them alive in memory and spirit.
Thanks to the delicate and penetrating aroma, it was also used in union ceremonies and veneration.
They were also occupied for medicinal purposes. (Gobierno de México,2019)
MORE ABOUT CEMPASUCHIL IN INDIA
Flowers were brought to India more than 350 years ago by Spanish and Portuguese sellers.
It is not only used for the Diwali, but also it is present at weddings where they put cempasuchil on a silver plate with rice and other elements. It is also used at religious festivals as an offering and it became the oferring for the altars of the elephantine Ganesha, the monkey god Hanuman, or Saraswati.
These flowers are also present in festivities such as the Holi Festival in the Gopinath temple and the Hindu festival Ganga Dussehra
For them, flowers are a sign of respect and love, as well as food for the spirit.
Cempasúchil was named as "genda" which means the "Sacred Flower" (National Geographic, 2022)
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