A Detailed Explanation of the Meaning and Legend Behind the Poinsettia's Floral Language
The poinsettia is a foliage plant of the genus Euphorbia in the family Euphorbiaceae, also known as ivory red, laolai jiao, Christmas flower, Christmas red, gorilla wood, etc. What we often admire is the fiery red leaves at the very top of the poinsettia, which are extremely dazzling, but these are often mistaken for the flowers of the poinsettia. In fact, the flowers of the poinsettia are located in the part between the leaf clusters. Let us take a look below at the floral language and legend of the poinsettia!
The Floral Language of the Poinsettia
Subduing demons and monsters, my heart is burning. The poinsettia is the best flower to represent Christmas, but in some weddings, red and white Christmas flowers can also be seen decorating, which is “my heart is burning”. Moreover, because it blooms during New Year's Day and the Spring Festival, it carries the beautiful meaning of universal celebration and jointly celebrating new life.
The Blooming Period of the Poinsettia
The blooming period of the poinsettia is around Christmas. The poinsettia generally blooms from December to February of the following year, and its blooming period falls exactly during Christmas, New Year's Day, and the Spring Festival, so the poinsettia is also called the Christmas flower. At the same time, the broad, fiery red leaves of the poinsettia are the best flowers of the festival, able to add to the festive atmosphere.
The Legend of the Poinsettia
According to legend, in ancient times, south of Mexico City in the Americas, there was a village with fertile land and abundant water, where agriculture and animal husbandry flourished and people lived and worked in peace and contentment. One summer, a mudslide suddenly occurred, and a huge rock cut off the water source, causing severe water shortage in the area and cracked land.
At this time, there was a brave man in the village named Porcelima, who, regardless of personal danger, chiseled the rock to obtain water, day and night, and finally broke open the huge rock. The clear spring rushed out like a fierce tiger. Because of excessive fatigue, Porcelima was swept away by the water, and people searched everywhere but did not see any trace of him.
As time passed day by day, one day, a herdsman found by the water a flower with bright red top leaves, extraordinarily beautiful. This matter stirred the villagers, and the villagers said: this flower looks very much like Porcelima, who loved to wear a red jacket when alive. In order to commemorate the person who sacrificed himself to obtain water, people named this flower “Porcelima flower”. This legendary flower is the “poinsettia” familiar to people today.