Christmas will be here soon and this magical time of the year, during which we love to over decorate our houses, pick out Christmas trees, decorate with Poinsettia flowers and place Mistletoe at the right spot in the house. To get you in the mood I will introduce you to several of the most loved “flower icons” of Christmas - mistletoe, holly, poinsettias and of course Christmas trees. I am sure there are many facts and legends you haven’t heard of. One of those mythical flowers is the poinsettia, which I would like to start with today.
First a few facts:
- The beautiful red flower petals are really the upper leaves of the plant. The actual flower petals are small, yellow/white and almost invisible.
- The name Poinsettia is derived from Joel R. Poinsett, U.S. ambassador to Mexico, who introduced the plant to America in 1828.
- Poinsettias can be cut and arranged in flower bouquets. Unfortunately the do not last very long in the vase. I personally feel it is a shame to cut these beautiful flowers and let them to die after just a couple days. Instead enjoy them as a plant for weeks and weeks, sometimes even months.
Little Pepita, a poor girl from Mexico, did not have a gift to bring to baby Jesus at the local Nativity scene. On her way to the chapel, she bent down and picked a few grasses and leaves beside the road to make a small flower bouquet. Shyly and with tears in her eyes she entered the chapel. When she laid her gift by the crip, magically, the green grasses and leaves turned into, bright red star-shaped flowers. People surrounding the Nativity set talked about a miracle. From that day on they were called “Flores de Noche Buena” – “Flowers of the Holy Night”. They have been blooming every Christmas since.
According to another legend, a trapper talked a Native American out of a plant and even cheated him out of some money. When the Native American realized that he was deceived, he cursed the trapper and said: “In the future, these leaves shall bear the color of your blood”…. And the green plant turned red.
Yet another legend tells us that Cuitlaxochitl was the favorite flower of the Aztec king Montezuma. He believed that the flower’s bright red petals were created with an Aztec goddess’ blood. She had died broken hearted, because her chosen one did not love her back. The legend even made it overseas, to Europe, where, at French courts, the flower was called “Etoile d’amour” – “Star of Love”.
More to come on “Christmas Flower Icons”. Stay tuned!
