Monday 20 December 2010

365/304: 20 December 2010: Poinsettia

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a Poinsettia, but how many people know why? Once again Wikipedia to the rescue.  Apparently it’s association with Christmas began with a legend from 16th century Mexico, about a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday so she gathered weeds from the roadside and put them in front of the altar. Crimson "blossoms" sprouted from the weeds and became beautiful poinsettias. The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and the red colour represents the blood of the crucifixion.

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