Candle of the Month: Marigold Slow-Burn Soy Candle

It is, at its essence, the universal flower of transition — a symbol of light crossing boundaries, of life renewing itself through remembrance. From Mexico to India, the marigold has always belonged to both the living and the dead. 

In Día de los Muertos, marigolds — cempasúchil, “the flower of twenty petals” — adorn altars to guide spirits home. Their golden hue mirrors the sun; their fragrance forms an invisible bridge between this world and the next.

Across the ocean, during Diwali, garlands of the same flower invite divinity into the home. The petals that guide the departed in one tradition welcome the divine in another.

This candle captures that shared devotion: the scent of marigold in full bloom, bright and bittersweet, woven with orange zest, with hints of the warmth of white tea, it carries the air of remembrance and renewal.

The Origins

Marigolds trace their roots to ancient Mexico and Central America, where the Aztecs cultivated them long before European contact. They called the flower cempōhualxōchitl — “the flower of twenty petals.”

The Aztecs believed marigolds held the power to guide spirits, and used them in offerings to their gods and the dead. When Spanish colonizers arrived, they carried marigold seeds to Europe, where the flowers spread across the continent and then to Asia and Africa.

Over time, marigolds became a universal symbol of life’s dualities — joy and sorrow, light and darkness, beginnings and endings.

The Science of Sunlight and Scent

The marigold’s vivid hue comes from carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin — pigments that literally transform sunlight into color, storing golden light in every petal.

In aromatherapy, marigold oil is rich in esters, flavonoids, and triterpenoids, compounds known for their anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and soothing properties. Its aroma, both green and honeyed, carries subtle resinous undertones from molecules like tagetone and limonene — chemical messengers that awaken the limbic system, the brain’s emotional core.

That’s why its scent evokes warmth, memory, and quiet peace.

Discover the unique blend of scents and natural ingredients in each of our handmade candles. Candle of the Month's subscription box ships monthly, giving you the opportunity to try a variety of candles each season. All our candles are crafted with natural ingredients and delicately balanced scents. Enjoy the changing aromatic notes throughout the year!