Cemetery Boys

Marigolds, also known as “the flores de muerto” (9), are a frequent motif in Cemetery Boys. In the opening scene of the novel, “tall orange and yellow flowers leaned against one another like drunken friends”—they “had exploded into bloom over the months leading up to Día de Muertos” (9).

Representing Lady Death herself, marigolds symbolize life after death and the brujx’ faith in their deity. As such, marigolds are used in many of the brujx traditions and practices. When Yadriel’s brother frees a spirit from the world of the living, “Beatriz disappeared in an explosion of glittering marigold petals” (118). When Yadriel summons Lady Death, she appears with a “crown of marigolds” (265). Marigolds are thus a manifestation of Lady Death in the world of the living. Because of this, the brujx build archways covered in marigolds to act as “gateways the spirits use to pass through from the land of the dead to the land of the living” (215).

The flowers play a very important part in the Day of the Dead as “the color of the marigolds and their really strong scent of apples lead the spirits back to the cemetery” (215).