Born in October? Learn more about your birth flower at http://www.whatsmybirthflower.com.

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2. The October flower is Marigold.
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The word marigold is used to describe plants
with golden yellow blossoms and the
Calendula (marigold) symbolizes sorrow or
sympathy, which explains the hidden message
“My Thoughts Are With You”, associated with
this flower.
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3. About Marigold
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They were first discovered in the 16th century
by the Portuguese in Central America who
then introduced the flower to parts of Europe
and India.
Early Spanish explorers were said to have
taken marigold seeds from the Aztecs in Spain,
where they were grown in monastery gardens.
From there marigold seed went to France and
Africa.
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4. In Aztec culture
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The marigold was believed to have magical
religious and medicinal properties, which date
back to 1552 when herbal records show they
were used to cure hiccups and anyone injured
from being struck by lightning.
A magical use of the flower was when it was
used to protect sailors who carried it for safe
passage over rivers and other bodies of water.
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5. In Ancient South Asia
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Marigolds were popular and held great value.
The bright golden colour of the flower
resembled that of honourable people known
as Ayra.
The flower was so valuable that it was used as
a decoration at various places of importance to
the people of that day.
As a result, it was common to find them lining
ceremonial rooms and pavilions.
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6. In Mexico
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Marigolds are also used as a decorative flower
and are popular during All Saints Day and All
Souls Day.
They are also used in Hindu religious
ceremonies.
Marigolds were also made into garlands to
decorate during harvest festivals and other
items similar in colour, such as corn and
peppers, were used in the ceremonial
decorations.
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7. In India
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The marigold is an everyday sight in modern
day India where they continue to be used as a
decorative plant.
They are are used in various ceremonies from
weddings to funerals and are used as offerings
to gods, dried into a powder they are rubbed
onto the exterior of village homes and oils
extracted from the flower are used for the
creation of numerous perfumes.
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8. In North America
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Marigolds did not arrive in North America until
the time after the Revolutionary War.
In the early 1900’s both the sweet pea and
marigold were gaining popularity in the United
States.
It was in the 1920’s when breeding led to the
introduction of hundreds of new varieties.
Some of the new developed marigolds
introduced at the time included the white
marigold, the odourless marigold as well as
hybrids and triploids.
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9. Medicinal Qualities of Marigolds
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Marigolds are still commonly used as a medicinal
herb.
The flower is said to remedy the swelling of a wasp
or bee sting when rubbed on the affected area.
A lotion created from the flower is considered
useful for sprains and wounds and inflamed eyes
are said to benefit from water distilled from
marigolds.
Other medicinal qualities come from eating the
leaves of the plant in a salad.
They are believed to be useful in scrofula of
children and the plant’s acridness has made it a
choice for the treatment of warts.
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