Why are chrysanthemums the flower of Toussaint in France?
These flowers can be seen all across France at this time of year
Chrysanthemums are placed on graves during the holiday
JacZia/Shutterstock
With the festival of Toussaint (All Saints’ Day) falling on November 1, you may have seen a lot of chrysanthemum flowers on sale - but why is this flower a symbol of the dead in France?
Apart from having the day off work due to a jour férié (public holiday) - unless it falls on a weekend - people in France, whether religious or not, often go to decorate the graves of their loved ones with flowers over the Toussaint weekend.
The most common flowers for this are chrysanthemums, with millions heading to buy and lay them every year.
Why chrysanthemums?
The tradition of laying chrysanthemums is relatively modern – until the 19th century instead it was common practice to light a candle on the graves to watch over the deceased.
It was not until the first anniversary of Armistice Day on November 11, 1919 that the then President of the Republic, Raymond Poincaré, called for flowers to be placed on the graves of soldiers who had died serving.
Originally, they were decorated with white chrysanthemums, a colour that represents sadness and mourning.
With time, the presence of chrysanthemums in cemeteries moved from November 11 to the Fête des Morts (Day of the Dead) on November 2, and eventually to November 1 too.
The chrysanthemum thus replaced the traditional candle.
A flower resistant to frost
The chrysanthemum was chosen because it flowers late in the year, in autumn, after being planted in May.
It can also resist moderate frost, meaning early onsets of autumn do not damage its availability for the day.
The meaning of Toussaint
November 1 is one of the 11 bank holidays in France.
In 2025, it falls on a Saturday, however when falling on a weekday corresponds to a wider public holiday for most workers.
However Toussaint is more than just a day off, and also holds religious meaning for many in France.
As the name suggests, the Toussaint is a religious festival on which all Christians are invited to celebrate ‘all saints’, known and unknown.
The festival of Toussaint celebrates ‘all saints’ on November 1, followed by the festival to honour all ‘faithful dead’, on November 2, with the first of the month always a national holiday.
