The Day of the Dead (November 1st and 2nd) is not a holiday—it’s a reunion. It is the day when the veil between worlds fades and the souls of our loved ones return home. To guide them, we build altars (ofrendas) filled with light, color, and aroma. This tradition, declared a World Heritage by UNESCO, is celebrated in the heart of Oaxaca and reminds us that love never dies.

At the heart of every altar are two elements whose aroma is the language of the celebration: The Marigold Flower (Cempasúchil) and the Mandarin Orange. The Cempasúchil uses its intense yellow color to mark the path for the souls. The Mandarin, a common offering, with its sweetness and strong citrus aroma, helps to perfume the air and the food, serving as another olfactory guide for those returning. In many regions of Mexico, this citrus perfume is so vital it’s used as the aromatic base for the traditional Pan de Muerto, symbolizing the sweetness of life.