Here are some of the amazing histories about the myths and magic of Christmas plants; each one a fascinating story.
Poinsettia
One of the most recognised Christmas plants is the poinsettia. The Christmas connection with poinsettias comes from a Mexican legend, which tells of a poor girl who dreams of bringing a beautiful gift to honour the Virgin Mary at a Christmas Eve service, yet has nothing worthy.
On the way to church she meets an angel who tells her to pick some weeds. She complies unwillingly and makes her way to a small chapel placing them on the altar. The moment she does, the weeds are transformed into brilliant red poinsettias and her sorrow turns to joy. The Mexicans renamed it Flor de Nochebuena. Poinsettia is named after the first U.S Ambassador to Mexico who imported the plant and its legend in 1828
Cyclamen
In the seventeenth century the tubers were ground and made into cakes, which were eaten for their supposed aphrodisiac properties
Folklore also maintains that the plant can ease childbirth if the root/tuber is hung around the woman’s neck.
Cyclamen in the 17th century was made into ointment and applied to the skin to prevent smallpox.
Christmas Tree
Legend has it that in the 7th century a monk from Devonshire used the triangular shape of the Fir Tree to describe the Holy Trinity of God the father, son and Holy Spirit. The Fir became revered as God’s tree. (Previously it had been the oak).
Others maintain that the idea of bringing a fir tree into the house comes from Martin Luther, the German religious reformer of the 16th century. The Christmas tree became fashionable in England in 1841 when Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, brought one over from his German homeland and put it on display in Windsor Castle.
