Day of the Dead is on Its Way

Throughout Mexico City you can tell that the Day of the Dead is coming.  Here, just around the corner from my apartment, these employees of a beauty salon were planting "cempasúchil" flowers... better known to us gringos as marigolds... in front of their business.

The marigold, which is native to Mexico, is the traditional flower for the Day of the Dead.  The name "cempasúchil" comes from the Aztec name "zempoalxochitl" meaning "flower of many petals".  For those who believe that the dead return to visit their families on the Day of the Dead, the strong aroma of the marigold is thought to help guide the spirits home.