Marigolds
Girl with Death Mask [Niña con máscara de calavera], 1938
Frida Kahlo
Oil on Tin Plate
Nagoya City Art Museum
The theme of this painting is death. Frida Kahlo was mourning the death of her baby by miscarriage. Throughout her work “death" was the most intimate theme for Kahlo, who always lived in close context to it. In this painting death is shown by the toy death mask worn by the girl which is warn during the “Day of the Dead,” the "Tiger Mask" at her feet used as a amulet to protect the child against evil, and the marigolds in her hand that is offered at the grave to guide the spirits of the dead.
Marigolds are native to North and South America, growing very well in the wild in México, Puebla, and Veracruz. In 1500's, native marigold seeds were taken from the Aztecs by early Spanish explorers. Then were cultivated in Spain, France, northern Africa, and India.
Highly used during the Aztec civilization the people had attributed magical, religious and medicinal properties to marigolds. From herbal records, the use of marigolds was used for the treatment of hiccups, being struck by lightning, and ”for one who wishes to cross a river or water safely" which confirms the magical properties to marigolds. It’s believed that Dia de Los Muertos stems from an Aztec festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl whose role was to guard the bones of the dead.
Mexico and Latin America, marigold flowers are used to decorate household altars to celebrate All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Marigolds are most commonly used during Dia de Los Muertos celebrations, which uses the Mexican marigold or Aztec marigold, otherwise known as ‘cempasuchitl’ or flower of the dead. As Christianity took over, marigolds were named after the Virgin Mary — "Mary’s Gold." It's believed that the spirits of the dead visit the living during the celebration and marigolds guide the souls to their altars using their vibrant colors and pungent scent.
Frida Kahlo
Oil on Tin Plate
Nagoya City Art Museum
The theme of this painting is death. Frida Kahlo was mourning the death of her baby by miscarriage. Throughout her work “death" was the most intimate theme for Kahlo, who always lived in close context to it. In this painting death is shown by the toy death mask worn by the girl which is warn during the “Day of the Dead,” the "Tiger Mask" at her feet used as a amulet to protect the child against evil, and the marigolds in her hand that is offered at the grave to guide the spirits of the dead.
Marigolds are native to North and South America, growing very well in the wild in México, Puebla, and Veracruz. In 1500's, native marigold seeds were taken from the Aztecs by early Spanish explorers. Then were cultivated in Spain, France, northern Africa, and India.
Highly used during the Aztec civilization the people had attributed magical, religious and medicinal properties to marigolds. From herbal records, the use of marigolds was used for the treatment of hiccups, being struck by lightning, and ”for one who wishes to cross a river or water safely" which confirms the magical properties to marigolds. It’s believed that Dia de Los Muertos stems from an Aztec festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl whose role was to guard the bones of the dead.
Mexico and Latin America, marigold flowers are used to decorate household altars to celebrate All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Marigolds are most commonly used during Dia de Los Muertos celebrations, which uses the Mexican marigold or Aztec marigold, otherwise known as ‘cempasuchitl’ or flower of the dead. As Christianity took over, marigolds were named after the Virgin Mary — "Mary’s Gold." It's believed that the spirits of the dead visit the living during the celebration and marigolds guide the souls to their altars using their vibrant colors and pungent scent.