Poinsettia Meaning
July 4, 2011 | Flower Meanings And Symbolism
The most common flower during the winter season, poinsettia or Euphorbia Pulcherrima is a flowering plant native in Mexico and Central America. Poinsettia was first introduced in the United States in 1825 by an amateur botanist named Joel Roberts Poinsett; hence the flower was named after him. Poinsett later became the first United States Ambassador to Mexico.
Poinsettia is the most popular flower in winter more specifically during Christmas season. In fact, poinsettia was also known as the “Christmas Flower” and “Christmas Star” for it is the star among flowers on Christmas season. The association of poinsettia to Christmas was believed to originate from a Mexican legend. Based on the legend, there was a poor child wanting to send a gift to the church. Having no money for a luxuriant gift, the poor child humbly gathered weeds at the roadside to place at the church altar for Christmas. As the worshippers witnessed a miracle, the humble weeds turned into dazzling green and red flowers which we know today as poinsettia. With its colorful and brilliant flowers and association with the birth of Jesus Christ, it is not surprising that poinsettia meaning and symbolism bear positive aura and outlook.
Poinsettia symbolism also has different variations. For the Aztecs, poinsettia symbol is being associated with purity and cleanliness. According to the Victorian language of flowers, modern poinsettia meaning includes cheerfulness, optimism and success. This flower was also said to bring wishes of joy and celebration. So even if it’s not Christmas, you can still send poinsettias to a friend to wish them joy and happiness and to cheer them up. Both green and red flowers have the same symbolism.
The flower symbol for those who are born on December, poinsettia was called in different names in different parts of the world: Mexican Flame Leaf, Noche Buena (in association with Christmas Eve) and Winter Rose. In Turkey, this flower is known as Atakurk’s flower for it is the favorite flower of the founder of modern Turkey Atakurk.