Have you ever heard the old Mexican legend about how poinsettias became the flower of Christmas? It’s a sweet little story that has several versions, but basically goes like this:
There was once a poor Mexican girl named Pepita, who had no present to give the the baby Jesus at the Christmas Eve Services, so she picked a small handful of weeds from the roadside and made them into a a small bouquet. When Pepita knelt down and put the bouquet at the bottom of the nativity scene, the bouquet of weeds suddenly burst into bright red flowers, and everyone who saw them were sure they had seen a miracle. From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the ‘Flores de Noche Buena’, or ‘Flowers of the Holy Night’.
The shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves are sometimes thought to be a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem which led the Wise Men to Jesus. The red colored leaves symbolize the blood of Christ. The white leaves represent his purity.
Do you decorate with poinsettias for the holidays?
I always have a few around in December. They add such festive color. I also love to grow some potted paperwhite narcissus for their beauty, but most of all their amazing fragrance.
This watercolor painting is my loose rendition of the Christmas poinsettia.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Never. We never had these until about 10 years ago when they showed up in shops, flower shops in December. We call them “Christmas flower” but don’t know the real name. We saw such flowers in english/american movies. I once both this for my mom… but somehow don’t like it.
I’m glad you shared this story and name. Now I know it’s Mexican thing 😉
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Your mom didn’t like it???
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Actually we both didn’t like it… it feels like it’s so “far away” from our Christmas feeling. 🙂 I now it’s hard to understand but it’s something like Halloween. It’s here only for ten years (maybe) and none (except kids) like it… It’s just not our stuff… Like we have “puzurs” have you ever seen something like that !?
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So interesting! I had to Google “puzurs” as I have never heard of them or seen them. They are quite beautiful – however far from our Christmas feeling…. so now I know what you mean! 🙂 ❤
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See!!! I had a good “example” 😉
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yes you did!
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😉 (hugs)
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I love poinsettia but had never heard that delightful story. Thank you – and thank you for the first poinsettia of Christmas by your talented hand 🙂
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Awh. Thanks so much osyth! ☺️
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Beautiful watercolor. Very delicate.
Peta
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Very beautiful as always Jodi. Appreciate the information of how the poinsetta became the flower of Christmaa. Thanks Gary
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Thanks gar!! ☺️
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Love this painting and love the story!!
We decorated with Poinsettias for our wedding, since it was in December. So yes I always some in my house in December. 🙂
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Awh. They surely have special meaning for you!! ❤️
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YES! ❤
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Beautiful painting!!
❤️ Poinsettias 🙂
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Thanks patty anne!!
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Your poinsettia is gorgeous. I I wasn’t aware the little story behind the Poinsettia being the Christmas flower. Our shops get full of poinsettia flowers and plants from now till Christmas, now I will look at the poinsettia in a new light.
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Awh. Thanks lynn! ☺️
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Lovely story and wateecolor
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Thanks lynn!!
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Very nice Jodi. 🙂
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Thanks Colin 🙂
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Interesting post, & striking watercolour!
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Thanks!
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One has to love that sweet legend and your beautiful painting too! I will share a little history that you may already know. Joel Poinsett brought the first plant here from Mexico in the 1800’s and after growing them, sent them to friends and botanical gardens. One came to a Philadelphia nurseryman from a friend and later became known as the poinsettia. This is a much abbreviated history that my Gram used to tell us when we were little. She is the only person I ever knew that successfully had poinsettias bloom more than once. Gram was the human encyclopedia of flower facts!
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I did read that also – but that is amazing that your grandma shared that with you and had it all memorized! You have a lot of hidden gems of info that I adore you share here Ellen! ❤
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Beautiful, Jodi! I enjoyed hearing the story of the poinsettias. Just to let you know that they are poisonous to dogs (what I have heard).
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Yes – I’ve heard that too – but upon further investigation find it is a bit over exaggerated.
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Oh! That’s good to know!
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Good morning Jodi, Poinsettia is one of my favorite flowers. Your art is magnificent, it burst off the page.
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awwh! Thanks Sharon – I’m glad you like! 🙂
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I did not know that story! The only time we have a poinsetta in the house is when somebody happens to gift one to us during the holidays, lol! I’ve never been able to keep them alive, either.
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Really – they seem so “hardy” to me. I usually want to get rid of them before they die – LOL! After the New Year – I’m rather “over them” 🙂
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Lovely my dear… yet again!!
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Thanks!!
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Lovely my dear… yet again!!
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Beautiful! And such brilliant color, love it!
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Thanks Amanda!
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A beautiful vibrant watercolour Jodi….
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Thanks Evelyn!!
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Love these stories about how things were created or traditions forms. Thanks for sharing..:)
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It was fun learning about 🙂
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I so enjoyed your story about the Poinsettia flower. You do a magnificent job with your painting!
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Thanks so much! 🙂
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I’ve never heard that story! I like poinsettias enough. I don’t think I’ve ever had one in my home but I like looking at them in the stores. Your painting is absolutely lovely. Well done!!
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thanks so much Nikki!
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ohhh, Pepita!! how cute! and flowers of the holy night…. love how that sounds. Great little story Jodi for us at just the right time too 🙂 gorgeous scarlet reds in your flower, with nice drips and vibrancy – a color full flower of the holy night !
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Thanks so much Debi!
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my pleasure, … I do like that name, Pepita… makes me Smile!
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Beautiful Jodi! Sweet story, I’ve never heard that!
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thanks Jenna 🙂
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Oh, Jodi!! So LOVE love your Poinsettia !! ❤️❤️❤️ And I enjoyed your story about how the flower. 🌟 I have a funny story about Poinsettias… When I was in college, a friend and I had a job one year during the holidays to water all the Poinsettias at Nordstroms. At the time, they used to decorate their stores with LOTS of this flower. By the end of this job, I was so sick of Poinsettias!! LOL! 😝 It took me several years before I would buy one!
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lol – I’m sure! I’ll be there were hundreds!
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Yes, wayyyy too many!! Lol! 😱
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I never heard the story before. It brings new meaning to the flower. Your painting is beautiful!
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I thought so too 🙂
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The poinsettia is not my favorite real flower, however your painting is lovely. It does give me a Christmas feeling! Interesting story based on a Mexican legend. Thanks! 🌷 Christine
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I love your painting! And yes, I always decorate with a few poinsettias at Christmas because they look so festive and I don’t have to pack them away for next year. (Instead, they live on my window seat forever, looking scraggly and green from March on, but that’s another story….)
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LOL – Seems they live forever. I have to admit I’m totally over them after the new year…..
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Me, too! But they just keep hanging in there….
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😜
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I needed to go back so far to catch up, my dear Jodi! So sorry, last few weeks before my vacation were full of work and not much visiting blogs.
I love your watercolor poinsettia! They come from Mexico which made my Spanish teacher Mom love them, especially the range of colors! Red in the family room and the pink, light green and white ones in her Victorian living room (“parlour”). 😊
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no apologies!!! i know the feeling at times! glad you enjoyed the watercolor poinsettia! 🙂 Fun memories of your mom and childhood. ❤
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Thank you, dear Jodi! I will post about a rather scary Thanksgiving tomorrow. Not to worry anyone over this loving and special weekend. . .
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