The poinsettia is the plant that best represents the Christmas time, thanks to its star-shaped red leaves. Highly sold in this period, it is purchased as a gift or to decorate the home with a festive touch. Today, December 12, in the United States, is the day dedicated to it (the Poinsettia Day), in which it is customary to exchange poinsettias. He was the US ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett, doctor and botanist, who was the first to bring this plant to the USA and, in his honor, the name "Poinsettia" was given to it.
Mexican origins
The poinsettia has Mexican origins. Its botanical name is Euphorbia pulcherrima. It is a symbol of life and renewal, but also of abundance and prosperity. Furthermore, the red color of the bracts, together with their function of protecting the flower, make the poinsettia a plant symbol of pure and unconditional love. This is why, at Christmas and in the days leading up to it, it is widely purchased and donated, because its symbolism is perfectly linked to the Christmas atmosphere. The poinsettia needs little water and little fertilizer and should not be exposed directly to sunlight. It also represents humility, wisdom and complete confidence. Some varieties of Poinsettia have leaves of different colors: white, yellow, pink.
The legend of Christmas
Legends are linked to the Christmas star. The best known has Mexican origins and tells of a little girl so poor that she had nothing to bring as a gift to Baby Jesus on Christmas Day. Disconsolate, the little girl decided to wander around looking for something. After searching in vain, an angel appeared to her and suggested that she collect some twigs from a bush.
The girl picked them up and, after making a bunch, decided to tie it with a red ribbon she had in her hair. Once in the church, something extraordinary happened. The bunch of branches placed on the altar became a magnificent plant with lush red star-shaped flowers. From that day, this plant spread throughout Mexico and was called Flower of the Holy Night, then Christmas Star.
Its history began with the Aztecs
In reality, the history of the Christmas star began among the Aztecs (who called it Cuetlaxochitl), from a love story that ended tragically. According to an Aztec legend, the plant was born from drops of blood from the broken heart of a goddess. These people used the Christmas star as a dye to dye fabrics red or for aesthetic purposes. Its milky sap, however, was processed to produce an antipyretic preparation. The beauty of the Christmas star, combined with everything it represents, makes it a very welcome gift, a gesture of kindness and refinement, which fits perfectly into the Christmas atmosphere.
(Photo: Pixabay)
